[robmausser]

Is it just me or is this really ugly. When I was in Oslo there was lots of electric ferries and they were beautiful compared to this.

I believe there was a lot of requests during the consulation period from both councillers and the public to maintain the same look as the old ferries.

Torontonians wouldn't know any better anyways, no other cities exist in the world and this has never been done before as we are the centre of the universe.

 

[Dan416]

I believe there was a lot of requests during the consulation period from both councillers and the public to maintain the same look as the old ferries.

Torontonians wouldn't know any better anyways, no other cities exist in the world and this has never been done before as we are the centre of the universe.

I can guess the demographic that attended these meetings.

 

[T3G]

I'll break with the consensus and say that I don't like the Oslo ferries at all. Maintaining the look of the old ferries was a much better idea. I'm a Luddite, I don't believe in changing designs just because they've been around for a long time. Adapting vintage looks while making the application suitable for the modern user is one of the best ideas humans have ever had.

I'm surprised that there was so much push to maintain the old look - Torontonians are not known for valuing heritage, or aesthetic things.

 

[crs1026]

Part of the Oslo ferry system is sea-bus in nature. The emphasis on vessels with mostly indoor amenities and transit like seating is deliberate - many riders are effectively riding a bus. Plenty of their ferries are utilitarian in design - the key feature being traditional double end boarding and a raised bridge with 2-way visibility.

For Toronto, the island ferry is more of the beginning and end of an experience, more likely recreational and definitely not a daily commute. It is not meant to be jet fast, the duration is appropriate as a “pause”. The option of sitting outdoors is more important, and the traditional upstairs with roof protection but open sides is extremely compatible with that experience, on good days anyways. The double end design is absolutely necessary, and some more rakish streamlining would be contradictory to their working speed and design.

I shudder to think what say Metrolinx design consultants would do to the exterior design. There will be a temptation to use some pseudo iconic motif (the Chichimaun comes to mind, or Norweigian Line cruise ships). To my mind, the current plain white is nicely understated. There is no shame in being traditional in this context.

I am opposed to something flashy. Function and compatibility with existing slips dictates the rounded double end design.

- Paul

 

[evandyk]

Even if you weren't trying to mimic the look of the current ferries, they look totally fine to me. Double ended operation seems obviously essential since the journey is so short - turning it around at each end would probably add 5-10% to the length of each journey. And the deck that is "outside" but with a roof is great for both shade and rain shelter (not that I'd get on an island ferry if it was raining, as there's not much to do there in bad weather).

In fact, I think they kind of look like what you'd get if you took the two oslo designs, mashed them up, and asked for double ended operation and large outdoor decks.

 

[evandyk]

This is what chat gpt created for me when I uploaded the two oslo photos and asked for something with double ended operation, large outdoor decks (one of which has no roof). I did ask for it to be a little bit old fashioned, which seems to be the parameter given to the designer of the renders. Doesn’t seem to have understood the “double ended operation; I need to go back to the drawing board with the prompt.

Second try:

 

[Admiral Beez]

Even if you weren't trying to mimic the look of the current ferries, they look totally fine to me. Double ended operation seems obviously essential since the journey is so short - turning it around at each end would probably add 5-10% to the length of each journey.

I like the double decker, two level loading on the Hong Kong Star Ferries. The single ended bow doors are more useful for car ferries, or that opening scene in Saving Private Ryan.

 

[evandyk]

I don't really care, TBH, as long as it's a big gate that a lot of people can pass through quickly.

 

[evandyk]

 

[Mihairokov]

Please stop posting AI slop here. We don't need it.

 

[dowlingm]

For comparison, electric ferries in Oslo:

View attachment 660872
Source:

New All-Electric Passenger Ferry for Oslo

The Fjords will add another all electric passenger vessel to its fleet Legacy of The Fjords which is now under construction at Brødrene Aa.

www.marinelink.com

View attachment 660873

Source:

All-Electric Ferries Coming to Oslo

Passenger ferries are an important part of the Norwegian capital’s transport system. From 2021, they will be battery-powered. Five new electric passenger ferries will debut in the Oslofjord from 2021, as the electrification of the

www.lifeinnorway.net

Old timey design glommed onto value engineered “modern” is much more Toronto, with its love of facadism. No room for something that swishy in our waters.

 

[robmausser]

I'll break with the consensus and say that I don't like the Oslo ferries at all. Maintaining the look of the old ferries was a much better idea. I'm a Luddite, I don't believe in changing designs just because they've been around for a long time. Adapting vintage looks while making the application suitable for the modern user is one of the best ideas humans have ever had.

I'm surprised that there was so much push to maintain the old look - Torontonians are not known for valuing heritage, or aesthetic things.

I think we just didn't know any better tbh

This is what chat gpt created for me when I uploaded the two oslo photos and asked for something with double ended operation, large outdoor decks (one of which has no roof). I did ask for it to be a little bit old fashioned, which seems to be the parameter given to the designer of the renders. Doesn’t seem to have understood the “double ended operation; I need to go back to the drawing board with the prompt.

View attachment 661146

Second try:

View attachment 661147

ok but can we please call the new ferry The Foorbs

 

[Northern Light]

Good to see Toronto voted for my recommendation.

New Electric Ferries

Discover the design, size and features of Toronto's new electric ferries and when they'll be on the water.

www.toronto.ca