6319 replies to this topic

[Nparker]

If you make the locals pay what it actually costs for ferry service, you might find a few change their mind on not having a bridge.

[Matt R.]

Yup. Dream on.

[lanforod]

Matt doesn't want a bridge either. His business disappears then. 

[Matt R.]

“Disappears” is a bit extreme, based on how full we’ve been every night this week and over the last weekend, but I do have a vested interest for sure. This discussion comes up all the time, and it’s not going to happen in my lifetime, certainly not in my working future, but people do love to talk.

[North Shore]

Not sure that bridge location does anything for the vast majority of SaltSpringers, or visitors, for that matter.  If I'm in Victoria, i'll be damned if I'm going to drive 1hr north to Duncan, and then across a bridge - i'll pay $50, and go across from Swartz Bay, thanks..  Likewise mainlanders - drive all of the way to Horseshoe Bay, take the ferry to Nanaimo, and then drive south?  Nope..

[Victoria Watcher]

As Matt says, it's not going to happen, because not even a tiny slice of a percent of Islanders want a bridge.

[Nparker]

SSI residents should be prepared to absorb the full cost of ferry service to their island to preserve their lifestyle.

[max.bravo]

I think you’ll find PEI had the same objections to the bridge. The sky was falling etc.
In the end the government made it happen and everyone got used to it.

[Matt R.]

SSI residents should be prepared to absorb the full cost of ferry service to their island to preserve their lifestyle.

We all know this won’t happen, if anything ferries will be even more heavily subsidized going forward, especially when the ndp win another election.

[Nparker]

Hopefully neither of those scenarios come to pass.

[Victoria Watcher]

^ ^ Now he’s playing us! Lol.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 28 July 2022 - 03:09 PM.

[Redd42]

Salt Spring residents - 12,000

 

PEI residents - 157,000

 

Bridge to SSI, or any of the Gulf Islands - never

[Matt R.]

It simply won't happen.

 

Honestly I would welcome it, because my property values would shoot up and by the time it DID happen, I'll be gone from the restaurant game anyways.  Maybe I'd be able to afford that high bank waterfront lot after all...

And remember, there is a hard cap on population here in the OCP. I think we max out at 17,000 with current zoning and there is next to ZERO appetite for change here.

There is an old house right next door to the ferry terminal in Fulford. Ferries has long been trying to buy it but keep falling short.  They want it knocked down so they can expand their parking area, but in the meantime why not buy it and reno it to allow for rooms for staff?  I bet they could get it for less than a CEO severance package. 

Edited by Matt R., 28 July 2022 - 04:14 PM.

[Nparker]

I'm not saying it WILL happen, just that it should. I am fine with no bridge ever if we end the ferry subsidies.

[UDeMan]

PEI has 4 members of Parliament in Ottawa, SSI just has Elizabeth May.

[Matt R.]

I'm not saying it WILL happen, just that it should. I am fine with no bridge ever if we end the ferry subsidies.

We subsidize public transportation in this province and this country, so you’d better get used to it.

[Nparker]

We subsidize public transportation in this province and this country, so you’d better get used to it.

I'm all for a BC transit bus 4 times a day to SSI using the new bridge.

[Matt R.]

Weird you think a new bridge would somehow be more economical than the current set up. Do you like trains, too?

[Nparker]

A toll bridge would in time pay for itself, plus it wouldn't be subject to closure based on staffing.

[Matt R.]

That’s true! Still never going to happen, dancing banana etc.