Aquabus Adds Largest Ferry in Its 41-Year History
The new 48-passenger vessel becomes the highest-capacity miniature ferry on False Creek, outpacing its longtime competitor.
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Family-owned Aquabus Ferries has added a new vessel to its fleet that can carry up to 48 passengers — the largest boat in the company's 41-year history and the highest-capacity miniature ferry currently operating on False Creek.
The new pontoon-style ferry joins a fleet that has steadily expanded to meet growing demand across the urban waterway. Aquabus now operates 10 fully accessible, platform-style ferries: seven that each carry 12 passengers, three that each carry 27 passengers, and the newly introduced 48-passenger vessel.
"Our newest vessel is the largest in our fleet, both in size and capacity, accommodating up to 48 passengers," said Jake Pratt with Aquabus Ferries. For context, a standard 40-foot TransLink bus accommodates about 50 passengers on average — 36 seated and 14 standing.
The addition widens the capacity gap between Aquabus and its competitor, False Creek Ferries. Since 2008, Aquabus has concentrated on building platform-style pontoon ferries designed for barrier-free boarding, particularly for people with bicycles, strollers, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters.
False Creek's waterfront has grown increasingly popular as residential density climbs, drawing more residents, tourists, and event-goers to destinations including Granville Island, Olympic Village, Yaletown, David Lam Park, and Science World. The larger vessels have become an increasingly important part of the fleet to handle that volume.