Fast Ferry a priority for ‘Niagara 10’

Lewiston Porter Sentinel, November 3, 2007

Niagara County Legislature Chairman Clyde Burmaster announced this week that the proposed Niagara River Ferry Service between Youngstown and Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario is a strategic priority of the “Niagara 10,” a newly formed consortium of elected officials from the bi-national region. The group consists of border mayors from Buffalo, Fort Erie, Niagara Falls, NY, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Lewiston, Youngstown, and Niagara-on-the-Lake, as well as the chairmen of the Regional Municipality of Niagara, the Erie County Legislature, and the Niagara County Legislature.

Burmaster expressed enthusiasm for a bi-national agenda that includes the Niagara River Ferry Service. “I am glad to see the ‘Niagara 10’ endorse our project,” said Burmaster. “I view their endorsement as a testament to the hard work that myself and others have put into this project. The Niagara River Ferry Service will have a significant impact on the local economy, and it is my goal to capitalize on every economic opportunity that is afforded to us as a community and as a region. I have been spearheading this project since the start, and I will continue to work on this initiative until it becomes a reality.”

Once established, it is anticipated the Niagara River Ferry Service will operate from mid-May to mid-October on weekends and during events. More than 1,000 passengers from the U.S. and Canada were ferried across the lower Niagara River during a one-day promotional event held in September 2005. Since then, Burmaster has been working with officials from the U.S. and Canada, as well as various government agencies, on the logistics of the project. The ferry could be operational as early as late 2008 or spring 2009.

“We are approaching the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, and it is my hope and desire that the Niagara River Ferry will help us experience the historical sites and celebrations on both sides of the border,” said Burmaster. “Not only do we share a common history with our Canadian neighbor, but also a common goal in promoting cross-border tourism in our bi-national region -- cultural tourism, heritage tourism, ecotourism, and agritourism involving our orchards, vineyards, and wineries. The Niagara River Ferry Service is a must for cross-border tourism and I am proud to be part of such an important initiative.”