6319 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

B.C. Ferries is planning to resume service between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay starting on June 3.

 

There will be four round trips per day instead of the usual eight.

[Victoria Watcher]

When Leeanne Mueller pulled up to the Pender Island ferry terminal Wednesday, she knew she wasn’t a priority passenger.

 

She didn’t get sent to the lane reserved for residents with medical appointments in Victoria. Nor was she in the one where essential-service workers line up.

 

Rather, she went to the lane for everybody else, the ones who take their chances. Still, having arrived two hours before her sailing and being fourth in line, she felt confident of getting on board.

 

 

Nope. When the Queen of Cumberland arrived, much of the deck space had already been filled with vehicles from Saturna, Galiano and Mayne islands. None of the general-loading cars made it onto the ferry.

 

https://www.timescol...line-1.24140007

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 May 2020 - 08:39 AM.

[FogPub]

^On reading that article I found myself wondering why every second sailing doesn't do the route in reverse, such that Pender is only visited last half the time and first the other half.

[Victoria Watcher]

The Canadian Ferry Association says BC Ferries is bleeding cash, with losses of up to $1.5 million per day as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to take a toll on ridership.

Association CEO Serge Buy says BC Ferries, which makes up more than one-third of the sector’s revenues across the country, has seen a “staggering” 80 per cent decline in traffic over the past three months, leading to the suspension of some routes.

 

 

 

https://www.vicnews....anks-ridership/

[Victoria Watcher]

The Mill Bay-Brentwood Bay ferry is returning to regular service on June 24, as B.C. Ferries gradually increases sailings from restrictions imposed to slow the spread of COVID-19.

 

The latest upgrades in service, effective to Sept. 7, were announced Friday after B.C. Ferries and the province of B.C. agreed to a new plan to gradually increase service levels imposed to limit the spread of the virus.

 

https://www.timescol...ased-1.24147544

[Mike K.]

VICTORIA – In keeping with directives and guidance provided by Transport Canada, passengers travelling with BC Ferries will be required to be in possession of a face covering that covers their mouth and nose, and asked to wear this covering in situations when a physical separation of two metres cannot be maintained.

This directive goes into effect on June 15 for routes longer than 30 minutes and applies to all passengers over the age of two, including those passengers travelling in a vehicle. Passengers will be asked to confirm they have a face covering and are willing to wear it when necessary. If a passenger answers ‘no’, or fails to answer, they will be unable to travel. Customers must bring their own face coverings as BC Ferries will not be supplying them to travellers.

As defined by the Public Health Agency of Canada, a face covering should fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops, be made of at least two layers of tightly woven material fabric (such as cotton or linen) and be large enough to completely and comfortably cover the nose and mouth without gaping.

BC Ferries will also continue screening all customers for COVID-19 symptoms and restrict travel to any customer that does not meet the screening requirements, as per the federal guidelines.

BC Ferries is dedicated to providing a safe and healthy travel experience for its passengers and employees. For those that need to travel, additional measures have been put in place to keep customers and crew healthy and safe. These preventative measures include support for physical distancing, screening customers on arrival, allowing customers to remain in their vehicles on all decks during the sailing and enhanced cleaning.

[North Shore]

^ Bully for the Ferries!  All of those raging cases three months ago, and us regular travellers could come and go as we pleased (masked or not..)  Now that the epidemic is easing, and there are no cases currently in hospitals (or on the Island?) and we have to wear masks...  Horse, stable door, etc...

[Mike K.]

Don’t forget all the protests authorities gave their blessings to.

[Victoria Watcher]

it's really not going to work if they won't hand out some free ones - or charge $5 for them.  when they need to.  ffs they only cost a few cents.  sane businesses don't turn away paying customers.  they turn that lemon into lemonade.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 June 2020 - 02:05 PM.

[DustMagnet]

it's really not going to work if they won't hand out some free ones - or charge $5 for them.  when they need to.  ffs they only cost a few cents.  sane businesses don't turn away paying customers.  they turn that lemon into lemonade.

 

They only cost a few cents to make, not to buy.  Supply and demand, free market, invisible hand, etc.

 

I don't think BC Ferries is worried about losing business from folks who don't have or don't want to wear a mask if needed.  I mean, how else are you getting your vehicle on or off the island?  BC Ferries has direct experience in the fact that their paying customers will put up with a lot.

[Cats4Hire]

^ Bully for the Ferries!  All of those raging cases three months ago, and us regular travellers could come and go as we pleased (masked or not..)  Now that the epidemic is easing, and there are no cases currently in hospitals (or on the Island?) and we have to wear masks...  Horse, stable door, etc...

I assume you missed

 

 

VICTORIA – In keeping with directives and guidance provided by Transport Canada, passengers travelling with BC Ferries will be required to be in possession of a face covering that covers their mouth and nose, and asked to wear this covering in situations when a physical separation of two metres cannot be maintained.

it's probably a Canada wide policy (which I agree is a dumb way to do things) and many parts of Canada are not as well off as we are.

[Nparker]

So if someone sits in their car for the entire duration of the ferry trip and they don't wear a mask, will they be escorted off the ferry? Will extra staff be needed to act as the mask police?

[Victoria Watcher]

I assume you missed
it's probably a Canada wide policy (which I agree is a dumb way to do things) and many parts of Canada are not as well off as we are.

do they have many car ferries in Ontario and Quebec? the only places worse than us.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 08 June 2020 - 04:01 PM.

[Cats4Hire]

So if someone sits in their car for the entire duration of the ferry trip and they don't wear a mask, will they be escorted off the ferry? Will extra staff be needed to act as the mask police?

 

 

Passengers will be asked to confirm they have a face covering and are willing to wear it when necessary

I assume sitting in your car isn't a necessary situation 

 

do they have many car ferries in Ontario and Quebec? the only places worse than us.

no idea. I also have no idea what mainland BC stats are like who are just as likely to be on the fairy as us on the island. 

[vortoozo]

do they have many car ferries in Ontario and Quebec? the only places worse than us.

 

Absolutely there are car ferries in both Ontario and Quebec. Several different routes across the Saint Lawrence, ferries on the great lakes, etc. Plus a number in Atlantic Canada eg between Nova Scotia & New Brunswick, Nova Scotia & PEI, Nova Scotia & Newfoundland, etc.

[exc911ence]

Absolutely there are car ferries in both Ontario and Quebec. Several different routes across the Saint Lawrence, ferries on the great lakes, etc. Plus a number in Atlantic Canada eg between Nova Scotia & New Brunswick, Nova Scotia & PEI, Nova Scotia & Newfoundland, etc.

 

Two small ones cross the Ottawa River between Ontario and Quebec at West Carleton ON/Quyon PQ and Masson PQ/Cumberland ON.

[mbjj]

So if someone sits in their car for the entire duration of the ferry trip and they don't wear a mask, will they be escorted off the ferry? Will extra staff be needed to act as the mask police?

 

 

So if someone sits in their car for the entire duration of the ferry trip and they don't wear a mask, will they be escorted off the ferry? Will extra staff be needed to act as the mask police?

I don't think you're required to wear it, just show you have one in case you need to go up to use the washroom. My husband has to go over for an appt at the end of June and has no problem whatsoever with this.

[todd]

So if someone sits in their car for the entire duration of the ferry trip and they don't wear a mask, will they be escorted off the ferry? Will extra staff be needed to act as the mask police?

What happens if I don’t wear pants? Will they have the pants police?

[Nparker]

What happens if I don’t wear pants? Will they have the pants police?

Has Transport Canada mandated that all passengers must wear pants?

[todd]

Has Transport Canada mandated that all passengers must wear pants?

If I have to wear a mask I’m not wearing pants.