NANAIMO – The City of Nanaimo and the Nanaimo Port Authority (NPA) have announced that three operators have responded to the Expression of Interest (EOI) to operate a passenger only foot ferry between downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver.
“By working together in an open and transparent manner, the City and NPA have been successful at identifying 3 operators for the foot ferry service,” says Tract Samra, the City’s Chief Administrative Officer. “We look forward to working with the NPA and SFN to bring this service to fruition.”
Submissions were received from Island Ferry Services Ltd, Clipper Navigation and Riverside Marine (V2V Vacations).
Receiving numerous responses to the EOI is an important step in establishing the service. The responses will now be reviewed by an independent Technical Advisory Group, with a recommended operator to be identified by October 2016.
Quick Facts:
- The City’s Technical Advisory Group will recommend a preferred operator for the service. City Council and the NPA Board will be asked to ratify the decision.
- The selected operator will then negotiate a lease and operating agreement with the landlord.
- The City and NPA, in conjunction with Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN), view the operation of a high speed passenger ferry service between the two cities as a catalyst that will diversify and grow the local economy.
- All proponents will engage with Snuneymuxw First Nation.
