Town of Gibsons

Sailing Towards Sustainable Transportation: Proposed electric passenger ferry to link Vancouver, Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast 

News Release

Vancouver, British Columbia – February 7, 2025 

Vancouver City Councillor Rebecca Bligh joined with Park Board commissioners Brennan Bastyovanszky and Laura Christensen to announce plans for a new regular electric passenger ferry to connect downtown Vancouver, Bowen Island and Gibsons.  

Councillor Bligh will be introducing a motion that directs City of Vancouver staff to take steps to establish the new electric passenger ferry, with plans for it to depart from Coal Harbour as early as 2027. At the same time, Commissioners Bastyovanszky and Christensen will put forward a Park Board motion to explore upgrading Harbour Green Dock, and to seek partners to fund needed amenities and upgrades.

The announcement comes amid growing congestion and a lack of regional transportation options, particularly for those travelling to and from Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast. 

In recent years – particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic and amid the rise of hybrid work –Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast have welcomed many new residents and visitors. Further, the pandemic saw local transportation services on Bowen and the Sunshine Coast collapse, leaving a dearth of options for residents to access work and amenities on the mainland. Existing vehicle-based ferry options are often overcapacity and straining under years of underinvestment. 

A pollution-free passenger ferry will drastically improve transportation options for local residents and visitors alike. It promises to boost economic growth and reduce wait times in Horseshoe Bay, Snug Cove and Langdale, making it easier to explore B.C.’s beautiful southern coast. 

Quotes

“Vancouver prides itself for its easy access to nature and the vibrant coastal communities that we share our region with. An emissions-free, pedestrian ferry service linking downtown Vancouver with Gibsons and Bowen Island will shorten commute times, reduce congestion, and help us make Vancouver even more liveable and sustainable. This is an exciting day for Vancouver!” – Rebecca Bligh, Councilor, City of Vancouver

“Revenues generated from limited commuter ferry services could be used to subsidize ongoing recreational usage of Harbour Green Dock. With regular ferry operations on-site, it creates an opportunity for increased recreational usage as the current floating walkway is not suitable for the demand for leisure craft. We see this as a potential win-win-win opportunity.” – Brennan Bastyovanszky and Laura Christensen, Commissioners, Vancouver Park Board

“Bowen Island’s need for access to the mainland is more than just transportation—ferry service is our connection to work, healthcare, school, and everything in between. Exploring an electric ferry isn’t just about sustainability; it’s about securing a reliable, modern, and efficient future for our island’s residents.” – Andrew Leonard, Mayor, Bowen Island Municipality

“Gibsons’ history from time immemorial has been founded upon economic, social and cultural ties via marine transportation to Howe Sound and Vancouver. Support for an electric passenger ferry landing by the City of Vancouver will be instrumental to a green shipping corridor for zero-emissions tourism and commuting that will reinvigorate regional economic development for all three communities, reduce pressure on pre-existing transportation networks, and re-establish a traditional marine foot passenger connection of Squamish Nation territories.” –Silas White, Mayor, Town of Gibsons

“Reliable and clean ferry service connecting the Sunshine Coast and Bowen Island to downtown Vancouver will transform our communities. Today’s City of Vancouver and Park Board motions mark a key step in making this a reality. With support from the Government of Canada, including investment tax credits for BC-based electrification technology, this service will boost tourism, improve economic mobility, and enhance quality of life by helping people visit loved ones, access specialist care, and more.” – Patrick Weiler, Member of Parliament, West Vancouver-Sunshine Coast-Sea to Sky Country

“Greenline is excited to explore this important transportation service with the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Park Board.  This transformative all-electric ferry service for Bowen Island and Gibsons will take cars off the road and provide a clean, efficient and convenient service into downtown Vancouver.  With this landing dock, we’ve got all the important building blocks in place. By working in partnership with the city and Park Board, we will be well-positioned to deliver this new service for commuters, starting in 2027” – Callum Campbell, Chief Executive Officer, Greenline Ferries

“This is a win for better transportation that meets people’s needs. Providing more options to travel without a personal vehicle will reduce North Shore and Lions Gate Bridge traffic congestion, lower emissions, encourage tourism,  and improve quality of life for Bowen Island and Sunshine Coast residents.” – Jeremy Valeriote, Member of B.C. Legislative Assembly, West Vancouver-Sea to Sky.

Key Facts

  • Greenline Marine Inc. is a BC-based company with a vision of new options for coastal transportation in BC, starting with fast, all-electric, passenger-only ferries that provide seamless connections from Gibsons and Bowen Island into the transit, car-share, and ride-hail networks of Metro Vancouver.

 

  • The City of Vancouver’s Transportation 2040 plan calls for infrastructure to realize a future where alternative forms of transportation, such as by passenger ferry, made transportation more convenient, rapid, affordable, and enjoyable, following the example of cities like San Francisco, Seattle, Singapore, Auckland and Sydney.

 

  • An electric passenger ferry could reduce vehicle traffic through downtown, and help alleviate congestion, while softening air and sound pollution and supporting the city’s climate goals;

 

  • Greenline is projected to be used by about 1000 passengers a day, avoiding 500 car trips and erasing the equivalent emissions of 8 million kilometres of driving every year. For most users, this will save $20 on the end-to-end journey compared to existing transportation options.

 

  • The Hullo Ferry, which provides a similar service connecting downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo, served 400,000 passengers in its first year, diverting as many as 1,000 people daily from City roads.

 

  • Downtown Vancouver is the ideal terminus for this ferry, offering easy access to key areas of the city, while also providing excellent connectivity to regional public transit services such as the West Coast Express, Skytrain, Seabus, R5 Rapid Bus, and ample intercept parking and ride-hailing services

 

  • The vessels and all infrastructure updates to the docks will be paid by Greenline and its partners. There are no costs to the City of Vancouver or the Park Board.

 

  • Greenline provides another option to travel between these three communities than BC Ferries and vehicle transport. Departing from downtown Vancouver, the service would reach Bowen Island in 35 minutes and Gibsons in 70 minutes. 

 

  • The proponent recognizes that the ferries would transit the Burrard Inlet and the Salish Sea, the traditional and unceded territories of the Squamish, Musqueam, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. The Squamish nation supports the venture in principle and has asked to consider future expansions to connect their lands. Discussions with the Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh Nations are ongoing.

 

  • The upcoming motions on Park Board and City Council ask the City to establish a terminal at Harbour Green Dock. If the motions pass within the first half of 2025, the service could be in operation as soon as 2027.

 

Contacts

Rebecca Bligh
Councillor, City of Vancouver
rebecca.bligh@vancouver.ca