New Victoria-Vancouver passenger ferry signs lease

A new private passenger ferry between downtown Victoria and dowtownVancouver is one step closer to starting service this summer.

Australian company Riverside Marine said it has signed a lease agreement withVictoria's Harbour Authority.The company currently runs similar ferries in Australia.

The 300-person vessel would take up to 3.5 hours and will likelycost about $80 oneway,catering to tourists hoping to have a close-up look at West Coast wildlife.

"Wedefinitelysee a demand for a service like this, particularly over the summer season," said Nick Cheong, who will be the ferry's regional manager.

Ian Robertson,Victoria Harbour Authoritychief executive, said the company will fill a specific niche market.

"They are going to position this particular service as more of what I'll callan experiential way to get between Vancouver and Victoria," he said.

Other companies have tried passenger ferries between the two cities. Royal Sealink Express shut down in 1993 after running for a year and a half.

Won't compete with BC Ferries

Robertson previously told CBCthe new service won'tcompete with B.C. Ferries, catering instead to high-end travellers who would consider taking a helicopter or seaplane to the island.

Robertson said he believes the service will succeed where previous attempts failed because therouteis billed as more than justpoint-to-point transportation.

Other passenger vessels run out of Victoria's harbour as well.

The Clipper carries passengers to downtown Seattle, and whale-watching company Prince of Whales offers one-wayconnections to Vancouver and Seattle. It offersfull-day tours that include travel between Victoria and Vancouver.