6595 replies to this topic

[FogPub]

^So are you suggesting that if we want to get to Van from Vic we'd either have to a) drive to Duncan or Nanaimo or b) go through Wash state to get there?

 

How on earth is that more efficient for anyone?  And, you want to put MORE traffic on the Malahat?

 

That said, if it was a fixed bridge leaving from Nanaimo, that'd make the extra drive more than worthwhile.

[Mike K.]

The Malahat is a lame highway by choice, for sure.

Sailing times would he faster, too. So your travel time would be similar if not shorter.

In a logical transportation world, we’d have that terminal serving the entire south Island, the Malahat would not be a goat trail, and there would be a bridge across Saanich Inlet.

[FogPub]

I don't think you'd cut 15 minutes off the sailing time unless you bridged to Saltpsring or the outer gulf islands (via Nanaimo-Gabriola then down) and sailed from there.

 

It takes far more than 15 extra minutes to drive to Duncan from downtown vs driving to Swartz Bay.

 

In a logical transportation world we'd have a full-on 4-lane limited-access freeway from Tillicum Rd to Campbell River following roughly the current Malahat route.  No need for a Saanich Inlet bridge.

 

We'd also have a fully functional dual-track railway along much the same route.

[vortoozo]

 

 

Queen of New Westminster returns to service as BC Ferries manages a complex refit season
VICTORIA, BC – After nearly 200 days out of service for extensive repairs and scheduled maintenance, the 60-year-old Queen of New Westminster will return to service on March 14, just in time for Spring Break.

The ship has been out of service since September after a failure in the propeller shaft caused the propeller to detach – an issue attributed to structural fatigue, an increasing risk as vessels exceed their intended lifespan. Given the extent of the damage, crews fully disassembled the propulsion system, replacing one damaged propeller shaft and proactively replacing the other to ensure future reliability. Additional inspections uncovered further issues, requiring repairs to the rudder system, hull, and protective coatings.

These unplanned repairs totaled $5.5 million, on top of scheduled refit costs, and resulted in an estimated $8.5 million in lost revenue while the vessel was out of service. More importantly, its extended absence required fleet-wide adjustments to keep service running smoothly, adding pressure to other vessels in the system.

 

Full press release here: News Release | Queen of New Westminster returns to service as BC Ferries manages a complex refit season

 

Full marks to BC Ferries for being transparent and going into significant detail in these releases lately.

[Mike K.]

They need to emphasize how dire the ship situation is to get buy-in for replacement.

You can’t blame them, of course, but the general public is not the intended target here. Those details are meant to send a warning to decision makers.

[vortoozo]

^

Also what the media picks up, and gets that message to the general public.

I think it's good strategy.

[Mike K.]

Fares are rising for a car and driver to $95 from $86.50.

Passenger fares are rising from $19.10 to $20.

[Victoria Watcher]

Food prices up too.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 21 March 2025 - 07:02 AM.

[Matt R.]

April first is a busy day for programming price changes in BC.

[Mike K.]

BC Transit, BC Ferries, BC Hydro.

[LJ]

Ya but, all that carbon tax coming off, amiright?

[Matt R.]

For every dime you save at the pump, ferries will probably have to pay six bucks.

[Tony]

I will not save a dime at the pump.

[Mike K.]

Yours is going up 7.46% over 12.2 months from now

[Matt R.]

I’m lobbying Elizabeth May to get the Experience Card discount up to 40%.

[Mike K.]

BCF statement:

The Swartz Bay (Victoria) - Tsawwassen (Vancouver) vessel is currently holding in dock due to a medical emergency. The 1:00 pm sailing from Swartz Bay will be delayed as a result.

[pontcanna]

BCF statement:

The Swartz Bay (Victoria) - Tsawwassen (Vancouver) vessel is currently holding in dock due to a medical emergency. The 1:00 pm sailing from Swartz Bay will be delayed as a result.

 

A "Stand By Me" style pukefest on the stairwell, it sounds like:

 

https://www.ctvnews....essel-saturday/

 

[Matt R.]

I read drug overdoses but they the drug was thc, as in this group took a very high dose of edibles and greened out.

[Victoria Watcher]

In an email to CHEK, BC Ferries says “There was an onboard incident this afternoon involving six individuals who became ill in a stairwell and required medical attention.”

 

BC Emergency Health Services (EHS) and RCMP responded and assisted the six individuals. Two of the six passengers were transported to hospital and the others received care onboard.

 

“All passengers are accounted for, and we can confirm there were no fatalities,” states a spokesperson for BC Ferries.

 

The vessel docked in Swartz Bay and was cleared and cleaned and has since resumed service, according to BC Ferries.

 

 

https://cheknews.ca/...turday-1245373/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 22 March 2025 - 11:23 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

I read drug overdoses but they the drug was thc, as in this group took a very high dose of edibles and greened out.

 

Why can't our media report this?   Reading their report you'd think there was some kind of fast-acting bacteria in a stairwell or something.