Toronto might be getting 'relief' ferries to handle overwhelming island crowds

Crush crowds and long waits are the norm at Toronto's Jack Layton Ferry Terminal, but the City is now considering a new plan that could relieve the pain that is a visit to the islands.

City council has clearly taken notice of the viral videos and complaints about ferry capacity, voting overwhelming on Thursday to explore the possibility of introducing "relief vessels" that would ease overcrowding at the ferry docks.

Council voted near-unanimously, with 21 in favour and just one opposed (if you guessed Stephen Holyday, you get a gold star), on the motion from Mayor Chow to look into relief vessels that will address demand until a new fleet of all-electric ferries is rolled out.

Noting the first electric ferry isn’t due until the end of 2026, Chow says city should be looking at any options to rent or lease more boats in the interim to get people over to the island. “Instead of having them wait for an hour-plus in the hot sun with screaming kids.”

— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) July 25, 2024

Council also approved $92 million in funding for a pair of new electric ferries on Thursday, though the first of these state-of-the-art replacements isn't set to be delivered until the end 2026 — pushing council to consider an interim solution to crowding.

Chows successful motion will see the City "explore opportunities to lease or otherwise retain relief vessels to provide additional service to and from Toronto Island while the new ferries are being procured."

Rental ferries would complement the existing fleet of four vessels, which range in age between 61 and a staggering 114 years old.