A Bedford fast ferry isn’t on the fast track for urban and suburban dwellers, according to a Metro Halifax poll.
The Bristol Omnifacts Research survey shows just 12 per cent of people picked a Bedford fast ferry as their transit priority.
The majority — 51 per cent — picked bus service to more areas of HRM. Eighteen per cent picked more bike lanes. Twelve per cent said they want buses to operate through the night.
Mayor Peter Kelly, who has championed a Bedford fast ferry, says the estimated $30-million project is not a fait accompli. “If it’s not financially feasible for the municipality or the ridership, then we would be fools to move it forward,” he said.
City staff recently commissioned a second market survey to test the market and analyze parking requirements for the fast ferry. It’s expected to be complete by January.
Sheila Fougere, who is running for mayor, says her support still hinges on seeing the proper business case.
“I’m not going to be pushed into a situation where we end up spending a lot of taxpayers’ money on something that doesn’t have a good return on investment,” she said.
In the meantime, she says the $14-million of federal and municipal cash set aside for it should go to beef up the bus service in metro.
