BC Ferries has offered a glimpse into the future of how one of its busiest terminals — Swartz Bay in Sidney — will look in 25 years.

It released its new long-term plan Tuesday, which was created from feedback from more than 1,000 people. The ferry terminal saw more than 7.5 million passengers in 2018.

Mark Wilson, BC Ferries' vice-president of strategy and community engagement says there will be a large focus on accommodating increased walk-on passenger traffic.

"Right now, across our system, we're at record highs in terms of foot passengers," Wilson told On the Island host Gregor Craigie.

"We're starting to meet capacity on our ability to move foot passengers through Swartz Bay."

Significant changes include expanding the foot passenger terminal, which was built in 1992, increasing parking, and a brand new two-storey concession building, where the Land's End Cafe is now located.

As part of its plan, BC Ferries will expand the current foot passenger terminal which was built in 1992. (BC Ferries)

The company says it will redevelop its "chaotic" passenger terminal forecourt, where foot passengers, city buses, tour buses, taxis, and passenger drop-off and pick-up vehicles all fight for space.

Other changes include redeveloping "a scruffy bit of grass" — as the company puts it in its plan — which sits to the west of the terminal and leads to the water's edge. The plan is to develop that area to include an oceanfront boardwalk with new amenities and seating, as well as a dedicated bike lane feeding into the terminal.

Wilson says the plan is being introduced in phases over the next 25 years so the company has the opportunity to adapt and change with the way passengers choose to travel.

"It's tough to look that far down the road [and know whether] things are going to drastically change or not," said Wilson.

BC Ferries hasn't released an exact budget for the project, but says it will be funded through its 12-year capital plan and is expected to be a multi-million dollar project.

Phase one of the project will begin in 2020.

You can listen to the full interview below;