Mass transit in Vancouver, British Columbia is somewhat of an artform. The combination of the buses, Skytrain, and seabuses allows residents and visitors alike to navigate the city quite efficiently. This transit system has won awards, and is an excellent way to see Vancouver. There are certain points on the Skytrain that you can see the city, mountains, and the ocean quite effectively. But there is more to Vancouver and British Colombia than can be seen from the Skytrain.
Ferries are an important part of getting around the region. They connect the Vancouver Island to the mainland, among other destinations. Now, a new pedestrian ferry will connect Downtown Vancouver to areas such as Bowen Island and the Sunshine Coast. The proposed dock on the Vancouver end will be the city-owned dock in Harbour Green Park.
The whole project is being proposed by Greenline Ferries, a company based out of Victoria, BC. It has the support of at least one council member and the park board commissioners. The plan still needs to be approved by the city council which will certainly have questions about the project. If everything moves ahead relatively smoothly, the ferry could be up and running by 2027. Since the pedestrian ferry will be emissions-free, it's hard to imagine the city council not moving forward with it.
Located in the Lower Mainland, the metro Vancouver region has approximately 2.6 million people living in it. Due to the temperate climate and high level of diversity in the population, Vancouver is seen as one of the most livable cities in Canada despite the high costs. It's also incredibly popular with tourists, particularly Canadians looking for a break from the long winters or who enjoy skiing. This new ferry will allow visitors to explore more of the Lower Mainland region.