The Aquabus, also known as Aquabus Ferries Ltd., is a privately owned and operated ferry service that provides commuter and sightseeing servicesParton, Nicole. "Battle of the ferries is a False Creek epic", Vancouver Sun, May 12, 1988, Page B-3. to locations all along False Creek of central Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Aquabus started service in 1985.
As of 2026 the service calls at eight docks between Hornby Street and False Creek South."Aquabus Ferries in Vancouver, British Columbia" , About.com, Accessed September 14, 2009.
History The beginning of ferry service throughout False Creek occurred in mid-1979 when Brian and Laura Beesley began operating a tour and water taxi service around Granville Island and False Creek.Vancouver Courier, Vol. 74 No. 48. December 1st, 1982 Page 1, 7 The Aquabus Ferry Company was formed in 1986 by Jeff Pratt, the son of George Pratt who was a former partner at competitor Granville Island Ferries division False Creek Ferries. It has since grown along with the population surrounding False Creek. Four Benford-designed ferries were in operation by Expo 86 and the additional three plus a bicycle ferry, Cyquabus I, were in service by 1995.Daniels, Alan. "Bus for bikes barges into False Creek ferry fleet", Vancouver Sun, July 26, 1995, Page D-1. The heritage ferry, the Rainbow Hunter, was built in 1950."RAINBOW HUNTER (THE) (O.N. 193303)", Transport Canada registration, Accessed September 30, 2009. As Vancouver grew, Aquabus incorporated two more larger bicycle ferries, the Cyquabus II and the Cyquabus III, in 2003"CYQUABUS II (O.N. 825486)", Transport Canada registration, Accessed September 30, 2009. and 2006."CYQUABUS III (O.N. 828831)", Transport Canada registration, Accessed September 30, 2009. In mid-2008, one of the Benford ferries was converted to a fully electric propulsion system and was used as a test platform for Aquabus' exploration of alternative energy."Two Vancouver companies team up to play the ‘green’ game", Vancouver Board of Trade, May 2008. In the second quarter of 2010, the Aquabus Ferry Company acquired two new bicycle ferries, Cyquabus IV and Cyquabus V, and sold the heritage Rainbow Hunter.
Fleet The Aquabus fleet comprises eleven fully accessible vessels and seven vessels of the traditional Benford design used on False Creek.
The accessible vessels accommodate bicycles, strollers, wheelchairs, and walk-on passengers. The Benford vessels are smaller craft designed for by naval architect Jay Benford; four were in service by Expo 86.
Stops and routes Aquabus operates a water-taxi-style service on False Creek between eight numbered docks. Unlike the competing False Creek Ferries network, Aquabus does not publish separate colour-coded route lines; vessels call at all stops on the creek and passengers board at the nearest dock.
Granville Island (Dock 2) is the central transfer point on the network.
Stops The Aquabus makes these scheduled stops: Dock Stop Location 1 Hornby Street South foot of Hornby Street 2 Granville Island Next to the Arts Club Theatre 3 David Lam Park At Homer Street, Yaletown 4 Stamp's Landing Near Leg-in-Boot Square 5 Spyglass Place Olympic Village, south shore beneath the Cambie Bridge 6 Yaletown Foot of Davie Street 7 Plaza of Nations Across from BC Place 8 The Village False Creek South, near the pedestrian approach to BC Place and Science World
See also English Bay Launch – operates water taxis from Granville Island
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