Ferry Security, Commercial Vehicles

Only emergency and commercial service vehicles (e.g., utility, delivery, construction, etc.) that are properly identified are issued a vehicle permit and allowed passage to the Toronto Islands. You may only purchase vehicle permit tickets at the Ferry Terminal – Traffic Office Booth 1.

A vehicle authorization permit must be requested 48 hours prior to transporting any vehicle to the islands. Rounds trips must be completed between 9 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. Vehicles must not remain in the park overnight or access the ferry Saturdays and Sundays without written permission from the Toronto Islands Parks Supervisor.

Type of Ticket Cost
Small to mid-sized vehicles (<5.5m) $159.41
Medium to large sized vehicle or trailer (<9.0m) $318.83
Large sized vehicle or trailer (>9.0m) $478.24

 

Any towed unit will be charged at the applicable current rates according to weight. The fare for the vehicle driver is included in the above permit fee. Passengers will be charged at the current rate.

The Director of Parks, Forestry and Recreation reserves the right to:

  • cancel permission for reason of unfavourable weather or other hazardous conditions
  • refuse any vehicle which by weight or dimensions exceeds the rated capacity of the vessel

Permission is also subject to the following conditions:

  • Operations of the vehicle on Toronto Island shall be confined to asphalt roads.
  • Boardwalk on the breakwater between Centre Island and Ward’s Island shall not be used by the vehicle.
  • Speed limit of 30 km/h (15 km/h in school zones) shall be observed at all times.
  • Weight limit on all bridges as follows shall not exceed:
    • Manitou bridge – 18 tonnes gross – any vehicle (18,000 kg)
    • Algonquin bridge – 12 tonnes gross – any vehicle (20,000 kg)
    • Olympic bridge – 10 tonnes gross 0 any vehicle (10,000 kg)
  • Vehicle is insured against public liability and property damage equal to amounts as prescribed in the Insurance Act of Ontario.

The City of Toronto’s ferry service carries 1.2 million passengers annually over 365 days a year and public safety is our top priority.

The City’s ferry service operates under a security certificate issued by Transport Canada, and in 2010, Transport Canada developed and implemented Domestic Ferries Security Regulations. Based on these regulations, the City has enhanced security measures at the City’s ferry terminals and on its vessels.

The City has taken many concrete steps to improve passenger safety including:

  • Increased security presence and visibility through signage and staffing
  • Full-time corporate security guards on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week
  • Installation of additional security cameras
  • Security awareness training for all full-time and part-time staff
  • Staff will be wearing security passes at all times
  • All vehicles will be registered with gate person and ferry facility security officer

Ferry Passenger Capacity

Four ferry vessels operate on a regular basis, with a combined capacity of about 2,000 passengers:

  • Sam McBride – 736 passengers
  • William Inglis – 309 passengers
  • Thomas Rennie – 736 passengers
  • Ongiara – 220 passengers, capable of carrying vehicles as well.

A fifth vessel, and older paddle steamer named ‘The Trillium’ is sometimes deployed and carries 891 passengers.