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- The Pelee Islander is approaching the end of its service life, and will likely be withdrawn from service at the end of 2016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:
- M.V. Pelee Islander Replacement Alternatives
- M.V. Jiimaan Major Vessel Improvement Alternatives
- Two-Vessel versus One-Vessel Ferry System Alternatives (number of vessels and locations served)
- Ferry Schedule Trip Frequency/Timing Alternatives
- Ferry Trip Reservation and Cancellation Alternatives (applies to vehicles only)
- Communications Alternatives With Ferry System Users
- Pelee Island Port Location Alternatives
- Ontario Mainland Port Location Alternatives
- Ontario Port Facility Alternatives
- Early Spring Sailing Season Vessel Preparedness Alternatives
- On-Island Transit Alternatives
- 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).