Study Overview

The Pelee Island Transportation Needs Study is being undertaken to develop a sustainable transportation plan for the island. The study includes ferry and air travel between Pelee Island, mainland Ontario and mainland Ohio. 

The development of a plan for transportation services includes four phases of work as shown in the following exhibit:



The study is scheduled for completion in fall 2011. 

Public consultation is important to the study and will be a component of each project phase.

We will address all alternatives that support a sustainable transportation system for Pelee Island.

Key Pelee Island transportation system problems include:

• Ferry System Vehicle Capacity
  • Ferry system vehicle-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet service demand/need, particularly with respect to semi tractor trailer trucks
  • Excessive and last-minute cancellation of trip reservations unnecessarily wastes ferry system vehicle capacity, limits trip access for other users, and damages the Pelee Island economy
  • Lack of readily available motorized vehicle alternatives to the private car on Pelee Island drives up demand for car capacity on the ferry system
    
    
• Ferry System Reliability
  • Trip cancellations due to inadequate ferry system reliability are caused by inability to maneuver under high wind conditions and vessel mechanical breakdowns
  • The Pelee Islander is approaching the end of its service life, and will likely be withdrawn from service at the end of 2016
  • Periodic loss of all early spring ferry service because the second vessel is not ready for sailing if the operational vessel breaks down
    
    
• Ferry System Convenience
  • Long ferry trip duration
  • Inadequate communication system for advising users of ferry trip cancellation or rescheduling
  • Some aspects of the current ferry system, or aspects of some alternatives, are inadequate or inconvenient for the users
  • Provision of ferry service to the U.S. greatly decreases flexibility for ferry service to the Ontario mainland, with respect to vessel alternative selection, schedule and Pelee Island port location
    
    
• Ferry System Cost
  • Changes in ferry service schedule, capacity, cost, or ports serviced, that are associated with some alternatives may have a negative impact on local commercial sectors
  • High MTO implementation cost for some alternatives
  • High MTO annual operational cost for some alternatives

The 12 categories of alternatives considered to address key Pelee Island transportation system problems include:

1. M.V. Pelee Islander Replacement Alternatives
2. M.V. Jiimaan Major Vessel Improvement Alternatives
3. Two-Vessel versus One-Vessel Ferry System Alternatives (number of vessels and locations served)
4. Ferry Schedule Trip Frequency/Timing Alternatives
5. Ferry Trip Reservation and Cancellation Alternatives (applies to vehicles only)
6. Communications Alternatives With Ferry System Users
7. Pelee Island Port Location Alternatives
8. Ontario Mainland Port Location Alternatives
9. Ontario Port Facility Alternatives
10. Early Spring Sailing Season Vessel Preparedness Alternatives
11. On-Island Transit Alternatives
12. Island Winter Transportation Service Alternatives
    

58 alternatives were considered within the above 12 categories.

A detailed list of key Pelee Island transportation system problems and the draft Recommended 20 –Year Strategy can be viewed here (PDF/631kb).

Work will be documented at key milestones, and will conclude with a 20-Year Strategy Report.

Note that this study is being undertaken as a planning/needs study, not as an individual or Class Environmental Assessment (EA).