Niagara Parks launches RFP for new visitor transportation system

NIAGARA FALLS, ONT. — Niagara Parks recently launched a request for proposals process for a new visitor transportation system linking Niagara Parks sites, with a focus on the core tourism area of Queen Victoria Park.

Niagara Parks has always operated different modes of transportation such as steam trains, trollies, incline railways and bus systems to facilitate access to the viewpoints along the Niagara Parkway overlooking Niagara Falls.

The new transportation system is expected to meet the growing demands of guests, while addressing challenges related to traffic and flow throughout the popular tourism area, states a release.

Queen Victoria Park encompasses the lands that hug the Niagara Gorge overlooking Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, including Journey Behind the Falls, the Niagara City Cruises Boat Tour, WildPlay’s Zipline to the Falls and the Niagara Parks Power Station.

In 2018, Niagara Parks established the Queen Victoria Park Master Plan to guide the future redevelopment of the area. Additionally, the City of Niagara Falls, with the participation of a range of tourism stakeholders including Niagara Parks, recently completed a connectivity study that examined future needs for visitor movement in the destination, states a release, adding both documents, in addition to Niagara Parks’ 10-year Strategic Plan and the Niagara Parks Act will guide the call for proposals process for a new visitor transportation system.

The new visitor transportation system will:

• Enhance the overall guest experience by allowing seamless travel and connection between key Niagara Parks sites, while also acting as a new visitor attraction and visitor demand generator for the area. 
• Present an environmentally sustainable and fully accessible solution that decreases carbon emissions and improves traffic congestion and visitor flow by reducing the number of vehicles within Queen Victoria Park. 
• Provide a new revenue-generating opportunity for Niagara Parks, while reducing operating expenses, similar to other successful tenant partner agreements the organization currently manages.