Canal ferry returns to action after late start

This story appeared in the St Catharines Standard

It got off to a late start, but Thorold's cross-canal ferry is back making waves.

The pontoon boat launched Friday for the season -- about seven weeks later than usual, but just in time for the long weekend.

"It's become an attraction in itself," Thorold chief administrative officer Frank Fabiano said after taking the 100-metre ride on the "Bridge It" across the waterway.

The ferry, which crosses the canal in Port Robinson, typically begins its free service when the shipping season starts in early April.

But this season's run was delayed as the city and the St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corp. hammered out a new operating agreement.

The Seaway covers the cost of the service up to approximately $80,000 and the city administers it. Any costs above the Seaway's share fall to the city.

The lease agreement expires at the end of 2016.

Mayor Henry D'Angela said he'd like to see Niagara Region join the partnership eventually, since many of the ferry users are tourists to the area.

"We want to make sure there's a long-time viable plan," he said.

Fabiano said the city's research indicates about 30% of the ferry's riders live in Thorold.

The ferry transports anywhere from 40 to 150 people per day.

The service was put in place in 1976 after the Port Robinson Rd. bridge was destroyed by an American ore carrier that collided with it.

When the canal is closed during the winter, a shuttle bus moves people from one side of Port Robinson to the other.