Toronto Port Authority ferry extends service to ensure Toronto Island Residents get home safely

TORONTO, Dec. 18, 2013 /CNW/ - Late last evening, the Toronto Port Authority received a request for emergency support from the City of Toronto after the city ferry William Inglis was taken out of service for unscheduled repairs.  At approximately 11:30 pm last evening, the TPA worked with its union and non-union team members to extend the hours of service for the Marilyn Bell I, the TPA ferry which serves Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (BBTCA).  By working past midnight, TPA employees ensured that Island Residents could get home safely.  Throughout the course of today, the TPA has continued to provide escorted access across the airport runways and onto the BBTCA ferry so that island residents could get to work and students could attend school.  During the winter season, the City ferry is the sole access route for all residents on the Toronto Islands.  The TPA has waived all passenger fees that would otherwise be charged for ferry passage.

According to City staff, the city ferry Ongiara is expected to be fully operational to replace the William Inglis on December 19, 2013.  Until then, the Toronto Port Authority ferry system will continue to support the Island Residents, as it has on several other occasions over the years.

"I want to thank our dedicated employees for working well beyond their normal shifts last night, and to those who rushed into work on a moment's notice, so that we could step in to assist our neighbours and City staff," said Geoff Wilson, President & CEO of the Toronto Port Authority.

About the Toronto Port Authority (www.torontoport.com)
The Toronto Port Authority (TPA) owns and operates Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, the Port of Toronto (Terminals 51 and 52), and Toronto's Outer Harbour Marina. In addition to moving more than two million passengers through the airport in 2012, the Port Authority provides transportation, distribution, storage and container services to businesses at the Port, and owns and operates Toronto's largest freshwater marina. The Toronto Port Authority was incorporated on June 8, 1999 as a government business enterprise under the Canada Marine Act as the successor to the Toronto Harbour Commissioners.

SOURCE: Toronto Port Authority

Louise Arnold
Communications Officer
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E-mail: [email protected]