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Bert and Ernie never sang about a “rubber ferry,” but there’s a possibility tourists visiting Halifax in the summer months may.
Halifax Transit is toying with idea of selling rubber ferry tub toys to residents and tourists that make regular use of the ferry. A standing offer from the municipality is looking for the supply and delivery of 1,000 of the bath-time accessories.
“The intent of this standing offer is to supply and deliver Ferry Tub Toys to Halifax Transit,” reads the request. “This is a new product promotion to be available for sale by Halifax Transit. The success of sales of this product will greatly depend on the use of this standing offer.”


The squeak toys are to be in the shape of a harbour ferry, but only 3.25 inches long by two inches wide and “balanced for floating.”
Spokesperson Tiffany Chase says the initiative is in response to requests for more Halifax Transit promotional items.
The idea also isn’t set in stone, Chase says, and the first batch of ferry toys will be a pilot project for any additional orders.
The municipality must purchase a minimum order of 1,000 units; with an expected cost for individual toys floating around four or five dollars a piece. The program is cost-neutral, meaning any money generated from the sale of these toys will be put right back into the next purchase order.
Chase says whether the project continues depends heavily on sales. If no one wants any ferry tub toys, Halifax Transit will re-evaluate the distribution.
This article appears in Apr 7-13, 2016.
Let’s hope the municipality is better at buying boats than the province, otherwise each of these mini-boats could cost $100,000 each or more. 🙂 Also, it should be stipulated that they must be sold, otherwise it looks as if they could end up as ‘freebies’for someone, but paid for by tax payers, so they should know exactly how the distribution will work – ie: Sales only, before ordering the things.
Also, what is the company from which they are purchasing the boats? They likely will be made in China, or other offshore place, but hopefully they will be at least purchased from a Nova Scotian company, or at least Canadian one. Preferably one with no connection to anyone working with the municipality etc. And it would be great if manufactured in, Canada or North America. Though then they would probably be too costly to be able to sell them at a reasonable price.
WHO are these people – and in what enormity – are they requesting promotional items from Halifax Transit?
Do they really think this will be a profit generating endeavour?
I think it’s time for a Coast Commenters Intervention…
This is the idea that beat out the 1000 Gloria McClusky dashboard hula dolls?
I want one. I know a bunch of people who have moved away who would love to own one because they miss home. Make it available online too. Halifax Transit will sell 1000 easily and then some.