6643 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

President Mark Collins said Wednesday that B.C. Ferries carried 108,000 vehicles from Thursday to Monday, beating the previous record set for the same days in 2018, when ferries transported 105,000 vehicles.

The total for passengers was 296,000, Collins said, with 110 sailings added to the regular schedule. “That’s just a hair away from 300,000 people when you think about it. That’s a lot of people on the move.”

While ferries carry more vehicles in August — peak tourist season — the vehicle count is a new record for the May long weekend, Collins said.

____________


Since Jan. 4, B.C. Ferries has hired 850 new people, Collins said, many in entry-level positions.

Transport Canada requires a certain number of trained crew on board for a ferry to operate.

These days, the number of qualified licensed mariners in senior categories being hired is similar to the number of ­retirements, Collins said, although about 160 vacancies remain.


https://www.timescol...workers-5407916

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 May 2022 - 03:18 AM.

[Sparky]

Hoards of mainlanders are flocking to this island in a steady stream. They are coming here just to have fun or are scoping out possible residency.

What do you think of increasing the fares of vehicles with out of province plates and decreasing the fares of locals who need to get on and off the island?

[Victoria Watcher]

What do you think of increasing the fares of vehicles with out of province plates and decreasing the fares of locals who need to get on and off the island?

 

I don't like it.   Maybe a frequent-trip program for locals.  But locals can also and often do time their travel to get the discounts already there at off-peak.  

[Sparky]

You can go to Thrifty’s in Central Saanich or the gas station in Mill Bay and buy discounted tickets for the Mill Bay ferry that are good at any time.

Secret discount for locals that know the skinny. What’s the difference?

[Matt R.]

I don't like it.   Maybe a frequent-trip program for locals.  But locals can also and often do time their travel to get the discounts already there at off-peak.

Simple to expand the current Experience Card program across the system.

[Mike K.]

Hoards of mainlanders are flocking to this island in a steady stream. They are coming here just to have fun or are scoping out possible residency.

Certainly a significant shift since 2019. This island is now full of mainlanders travelling the logging roads and getting lost. We come across them on the regular. Most have no concept of how vast the island actually is, and by the time they get to Nitinaht they realize they’re still within in the lower 5th of the land mass. Then they vow to return to see even more.

10 years ago the lower mainland looked down on the island as podunk. Now they value the isolation and nature that comes with being separated from the mainland. We’re talking about younger people, too. The more urban their communities become, the more they long for the wilderness and smaller towns.

Last year during a week long camping trip across the furthet reaches of the north Island we did not encounter any locals of the Island except for conservation officers.

[Sparky]

Raise the drawbridge!! …..or at least raise the ferry prices.

[Victoria Watcher]

Crew shortages continue to affect ferries


https://www.timescol...ferries-5417894

Despite hiring more than 800 new staff since the start of the year, crew shortages continue to affect sailings and services on B.C. Ferries. A shortage of staff resulted in B.C. Ferries cancelling baggage service on the 7:45 a.m.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 29 May 2022 - 03:40 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

BC Ferries looks to add cafe liquor service on major mainland/Vancouver Island routes

Corporation hopes to add service by summer’s end; has received approval in principle



https://www.vicnews....-island-routes/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 30 May 2022 - 04:39 PM.

[Mike K.]

Press release:

Following a successful introduction of wine and beer service in the Pacific Buffet between October 2019 and March 2020 with no issues, BC Ferries applied for licences to sell alcoholic beverages with the purchase of a meal in select Coastal Cafes on board its vessels that sail the three major routes connecting Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

Recently, the company received approval in principle, subject to inspectors’ review, from the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch for these licences.

In the coming months, BC Ferries looks forward to introducing B.C. wine, craft beer, ciders and other alcoholic beverages to the menu in Coastal Cafes on vessels sailing the following routes:
Tsawwassen (Vancouver) – Swartz Bay (Victoria)
Tsawwassen (Vancouver) – Duke Point (Nanaimo)
Horseshoe Bay (West Vancouver) – Departure Bay (Nanaimo)
BC Ferries continually seeks ways to enhance and add value to our customers’ experience and offering alcoholic beverages in select Coastal Cafes is in response to customer feedback. It will be served in limited quantities by staff who have their Serving It Right certification. Under the conditions of our licenses, alcoholic beverages will be limited to two drinks per customer 19 years of age or older, and must be purchased with a meal.

BC Ferries expects to begin introducing the new offerings by the end of summer 2022 and will provide customers with an update when the details are finalized.

[Nparker]

Is the Pacific Buffet open now?

[phx]

Is the Pacific Buffet open now?

Their web site says no.

[lanforod]

I imagine it makes money, especially in the summer, so hopefully its a priority to get it up and running by July.

[Victoria Watcher]

"other alcoholic beverages".  Bring on the whisky!

[Nparker]

IMHO, the buffet is the only thing that makes taking the ferry bearable.

[Matt R.]

I have read that there are no plans to bring the buffet back, period. I don’t believe it, personally, but some people I know connected to Ferries say this as well.

I loved the buffet, only a bit more than a burger combo in the cafe and miles and miles better value.

[phx]

The buffet is an essential component of the cruise ship experience.

[Victoria Watcher]

BC Ferries fined over $600K after worker drowns in Richmond

WorkSafeBC identifies high-risk violations made by local ferry company.

https://www.timescol...ichmond-5454504

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 07 June 2022 - 04:42 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

BC Ferries cancels major route sailings for crewing challenges, engine maintenance

June 7-8 sailings affected on Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen run, Tuesday from Duke Point

https://www.vicnews....ne-maintenance/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 07 June 2022 - 05:32 PM.

[Nparker]

...the Spirit of Vancouver Island [is] out of service for engine maintenance related to resuming the use of LNG fuel...