[ownthesky]

Massive Canadian Coast Guard hovercraft do winter icebreaking duties in the St Lawrence. Not only is ice not a problem, this large hovercraft running back and forth across the lake would likely result in an ice-free corridor.

For those unfamiliar:

Also impressive how they store the hovercraft on-shore:

 

[crs1026]

I'm curious if they will accept bikes. And yeah, Port Weller isn't really where anyone wants to go. You'd need some beefed-up Niagara Region Transit services to complement it.

The article suggests a capacity of 180 people. That's a lot more than a weekend transit schedule will handle. And a lot of bikes also.

The transit is problemmatic because there are multiple destinations.... some may want to go to wineries, some to Niagara on the Lake, some to the Falls proper. How many routes and how long does the bus take? I can see that being not simple, and possibly removing any convenience/time saving relative to taking the car.

And even if they carry bikes, the destinations are a fairly hefty bike ride away... fine for able cyclists, but not for the dumpier plodding types (myself being an example).

- Paul

 

[wopchop]

I'm curious if they will accept bikes. And yeah, Port Weller isn't really where anyone wants to go. You'd need some beefed-up Niagara Region Transit services to complement it.

Port Weller is closer to Niagara on the Lake and the associated wine country than the Niagara hotel zone.E specially if they allow bikes, this service is closer to the area where I normally see cyclists in Niagara.

For what it's worth regarding traffic, this weekend there are two Niagara bound lanes closed on the Burlington Skyway and traffic is backed up 8+km to Burloak Drive. Even without closures, this is not even that unusual for Niagara traffic.

Last mile service in Niagara shouldn't be that hard for them. There are so many wine buses, casino buses, etc. Those could easily be arranged to meet a ferry. Even an Uber or taxi. It is maybe 20 min from Port Weller to the hotel zone.

 

[nfitz]

Are they really after the tourist trade? I'd thought this would have lived and died based on weekday traffic.

 

[wopchop]

Are they really after the tourist trade? I'd thought this would have lived and died based on weekday traffic.

I think they are clearly after high income commuters. It's not public transit for plebeians.

But many of the criticisms have been about how it "doesn't go where people want to go", which I don't think is exactly true. If they want to go after wine country trippers, then the location is close enough IMO. Niagara on the Lake would be nice for the tourist but there isn't really a place to dock it.

 

[ShonTron]

Port Weller offers plenty of room for park & ride, which I see as a driver for this service. NOTL is also definitely within a comfortable bike ride’s distance, even for the casual rider.

 

[SubHuman]

MODS might want to adjust THREAD TITLE. projected start date now 2026

They would have to get the hovercrafts manufactured and the docking sites on both sides of the lake built. The articles make it sound like it would take at least another two or three years, assuming it ever does actually get going. And of course it would also have to involve them having the money to do it, something no one seems to have asked them about yet. It makes me suspicious when any potential start-up like this is trying to get attention through the media well before everything is all set to go. It may be little more than an idea and some renderings (along with hiring a 'name' that people will recognize to help them look more legitimate -- Pinball Clemons, Adam Vaughan, Jeff Gordon, Bob Hunter), with slim hopes of ever attracting investors. Usually one that already has all the money they need would try to avoid attention for as long they can, or until they have a service or product going on sale to the general public.
https://archive.ph/NHz4p

Representatives of Hoverlink Ontario Inc. said its service is still in the planning stages and it could be three years until its maiden voyage.

https://globalnews.ca/news/11170550/ontario-boat-company-toronto-niagara/

With docking sites now secured in Toronto, and Niagara being shovel-ready, Hoverlink is moving into the next phase of its launch preparations.
The company expects hovercraft manufacturing to take roughly 18 to 24 months, putting the service on track to operate once construction is finalized, pending approval from the City of Toronto.

 

[nfitz]

But many of the criticisms have been about how it "doesn't go where people want to go", which I don't think is exactly true. If they want to go after wine country trippers, then the location is close enough IMO. Niagara on the Lake would be nice for the tourist but there isn't really a place to dock it.

It goes exactly where people want to go. They want to go to Toronto.

They aren't extending the Oshawa train to Bowmanville, for those of us who live in urban Toronto to go antiquing, or to business meetings!

The day-one last-mile solution in St. Catharines isn't buses - it's a parking lot. Though I'd expect buses to appear at some stage if this is successful.

 

[rdaner]

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Hoverlink Hovercraft Service Public Information Session. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

Hoverlink Ontario (“Hoverlink”) offers hovercraft services that will make travel between Niagara and Toronto more seamless, accessible, and environmentally sustainable, while supporting tourism, driving economic growth and reducing traffic congestion. The hovercraft service can transport up to...

us06web.zoom.us

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

YES, but it has its own thread. This discussion should be there as it is nothing to do with Lower Don Lands.

Hoverlink - Toronto to Niagara Hovercraft (2026)

Yes, someone is trying to do this again, this time with hovercraft. https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2022/09/14/hovercraft-service-plans-to-start-toronto-to-niagara-run-next-summer.html To summarise the article: They plan to have two hovercraft, each of which can carry about 180. Travel time...

urbantoronto.ca

Goodness, that things phat!

 

[Isotack]

I watched this and was amazed they’re still showing the models of that park west of Cherry. It still seems too extravagant for our budgets, but hope it happens.

The rest of the segment was dreck. Paikin challenged the Waterfront guy on Sidewalk, but let the hovercraft lady do an infomercial without mentioning the failures of the Rochester ferry.

Not sure that Erika has actually ever been on a hovercraft? Particularly the one's or type being proposed. Before the Cannel Tunnel, Hoverlink was the only way across to Boulogne or Calais in France. These hovercraft were massive and able to carry multiple transport trucks as well as busses and cars. I did this trip several times in my youth. The words "smooth ride over the waves" could not be further from the truth. Roughest "flights" I have ever experienced!

 

[chrisw]

@Isotack Is Lake Ontario smoother than the Channel?

 

[GameOnBrad]

LOL at the person thinking that right now is the time you're going to get tourists flocking to a new link between Canada and the US. I love hovercrafts as much as the next guy, but they might want to put this on the shelf until Trump is gone.

It's kind of funny that the producers think "let's have a serious and in-depth discussion about Toronto's waterfront" and she comes to mind.

I thought I remembered seeing something about this recently but had to do a quick search. This boat company already secured a contract. Posted May 8th.

Ontario boat company secures deal for 30-min transit from Toronto to Niagara | Globalnews.ca

Hoverlink Ontario secures a Toronto dock, clearing the way for a 30-minute hovercraft route to Niagara that could take 8,000 cars off the QEW daily.

globalnews.ca

 

[rdaner]

Taken 1 June. An image of where the hovercraft terminal is going. Great location as it captures people flying who want to go directly to Niagara.

 

[DSCToronto]

Coming to TEYCC tomorrow.​

​

TE23.56 - Location of Hoverlink terminal adjacent to the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport​

Consideration Type: ACTIONSchedule Type: DelegatedWard: 10 - Spadina - Fort York
Attention
This item has not yet been added to the agenda. The Committee must vote to add this item as new business before it can be debated. Any person wishing to speak will only be heard if the item is added to the agenda.

Origin​

(June 4, 2025) Letter from Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik

Recommendations​

Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik recommends that:

1. Toronto East York Community Council direct the Director, Waterfront Secretariat, in consultation with Waterfront Toronto, report back to the Toronto East York Community Council in Q1 2026 on the results of project related technical studies, to be provided by Hoverlink Ontario and/or PortsToronto, including but not limited to the following local impacts:

a. a transportation plan, that includes information on impact to the Bathurst Quay neighbourhood, traffic safety, transit connectivity and access to active transportation infrastructure;

b. independent noise and air quality studies, and proposed mitigation measures;

c. marine studies, including impacts on water-based recreation, water quality, wave action erosion and the natural environment in the Western Channel and Inner Harbour;

d. details of the proposed landing pad and associated structures at the docking location and their impacts on the Western Channel and the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood;

e. economic impact studies, including the potential contribution of this proposal to the waterfront’s visitor economy; and

f. compatibility with relevant waterfront revitalization plans and strategies, including the 2020 Marine Use Strategy.

Summary​

There is a proposal by Hoverlink Ontario, a private entity, to operate a rapid hovercraft transit service between Toronto and St. Catharines in the Niagara region. The proposed 30-minute service is to start in Spring 2027, at the earliest.

The proposed Toronto landing pad and passenger waiting area would be located in Ward 10, Spadina-Fort York on the south side of the western channel at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Hoverlink has entered into an agreement with PortsToronto. Passengers would use the Billy Bishop Airport tunnel or ferry to access the mainland and local transportation options in Bathurst Quay.

There has not been a formal submission of information and technical reports to the City, however, City staff have been advised by Hoverlink Ontario that:

- Storage and servicing of the hovercraft vessels would take place at the business’s St. Catharines location;

- Each hovercraft vessel can accommodate up to 180 passengers;

- The vessels do not carry vehicles but would accommodate bicycles and luggage;
- Hovercrafts operate at 1m above the water’s surface;

- The fan technology on the proposed vessels has noise levels that vary with speed but are 67 decibels at 8 knots at 50m offshore; and

- Additional public and stakeholder consultation will occur as a part of next steps.

I am recommending City staff undertake, with internal resources, due diligence on the local impacts that will be outlined in the information and technical reports that the proponents will eventually be providing to the City.

Background Information​

(June 4, 2025) Letter from Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik on Location of Hoverlink terminal adjacent to the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2025/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-256070.pdf