A new passenger ferry service between Victoria and Vancouver is much closer to reality after Riverside Marine reached a lease agreement with the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority.
The lease terms between GVHA and Riverside Marine include office space at the CPR Steamship Terminal building as well as water lot fronting the Steamship Terminal.
“By signing to terms on a lease with Riverside Marine BC, we are officially welcoming a new transportation service and tourism experience to our city,” says “This new marine business aligns with the historical use and adds vibrancy and life to Victoria’s Steamship Terminal building.”
Riverside Marine will start work retrofitting its newest addition to the Riverside fleet of passenger catamarans in early 2016
The luxury marine experience will initially begin this summer with daily sailings departing Vancouver in the morning, and from Victoria in the afternoon, with full operations expected for the 2017 tourism season.
The harbour to harbour trip is expected to cost $80 one-way and take approximately three hours from end to end.
The high speed jet catamaran has acapacity of up to 300 passengers and will also provide comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, serving of local food and beverages, and guided interpretation of sea and wildlife, oceanography and local geography, West Coast culture and history, with primary focus on a visitor destination experience.
Riverside Marine plan to work with Tourism Victoria, Tourism Vancouver, Destination BC, and the tourism operators across the province to create an iconic tourism experience. Upon arrival, passengers will be provided with numerous options to explore both cities – whether for a short or extended stay.
