Sydney-Westmount Passenger Ferry Feasibility Study

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality (CBRM) will undertake a study to assess the feasibility of establishing a passenger ferry service between the communities of Westmount and Sydney, Nova Scotia as recommended in the region’s Active Transportation Plan. There is currently no public transportation serving Westmount, and residents and visitors must travel approximately 8 km by road to reach Sydney, the largest urban centre on Cape Breton Island, compared to a trip of less than 1 km by ferry. Historically, several ferries have linked Westmount and downtown Sydney, however, the last ferry ceased to operate in 1947 as the car became the standard means of travel following World War II. The feasibility study will estimate the potential modal shift through a reduction in trips by cars, and the associated environmental impacts in terms of GHG emissions reductions and air quality improvements. The study will also include: research on pedestrian ferries across Canada and the U.S.; assessment of detailed demographic information on the Sydney-Westmount area; recommendations on the most appropriate type of vessel; analysis on the potential environmental, social and economic benefits of the proposed service; consultation with the general public and key stakeholders; and estimations of the cost of establishing the service and operating it for five years. The Municipal Active Transportation Advisory Committee will oversee the study. While there are many examples of successful pedestrian ferry services throughout North America, they are mainly in much larger urban centres. The CBRM is seeking to develop a model that would use a smaller vessel with much lower costs, which would also be suitable for other smaller population centres located on rivers, lakes, or marine waterways. (Project description from original funding application)