A new ferry service shuttling commuters between Edinburgh and Fife is moving closer as council chiefs confirm interest from the private sector.
City of Edinburgh Council transport and environment convener Scott Arthur is due to officially unveil plans for the service on Friday. the new cross-Forth ferry is being proposed between Leith to Kirkcaldy.
Cllr Arthur has previously said that it would also help Edinburgh meet the capital's net zero carbon emission and traffic reduction targets. He tweeted on Tuesday: "Confirmed - The public transport action plan which I will publish on Friday will consider a ferry link from Leith to Kirkcaldy."
The Edinburgh councillor told Edinburgh Live that partners and a private company are interested with the new public transport action plan set to be published on Friday, January 27. He has said that the ferry would be 'an early economic benefit of the Tram to Newhaven' and help take traffic off the roads.
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This follows a drive to extend public transport for Edinburgh residents and visitors with tram lines to Newhaven set to open in the Spring.
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Several trials were held between Kirkcaldy and Portobello but the idea failed to win the hearts and minds of Edinburgh councillors. But on the plans to introduce a ferry link, Cllr Arthur said that he had been inspired by the amazing links between New York and Staten Island.
Speaking about the potential commuter link last year, he said: “I am absolutely committed to meeting Edinburgh’s environmental targets. A big part of this will be expanding Edinburgh’s tram system and introducing new bus lanes to help people of neighbouring local authorities get into Edinburgh.
“In addition to these quite sensible measures, I am keen to look at more speculative options like a ferry link to Fife.
"I see this as an early economic benefit of the Tram to Newhaven, and a chance to take some commuting traffic off the road. Council officers are looking at the practicalities, and I am due to have a political meeting with Fife councillors next month.
“I’m interested to understand what the climate emissions savings would be, and if it could compete with the train in terms of ticket price and travel time. I was in New York a few years ago, and could see how well the Staten Island Ferry worked for both commuters and tourist.
"I think we could do something similar, but with better views.”
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