I'm not so sure that we need to subsidize GI passenger ferries. We already subsidize them to walk on to the BCFs.
I mean the service seems like a wonderful idea, but let's just let the private operators figure it out.
Passenger-only ferry plan proposed for Gulf Islands and SidneyThe CRD is looking into a plan that would bring a new ferry service to the Southern Gulf Islands, Salt Spring Island and the Town of SidneyDo the Gulf Islands need passenger-only ferry service? That’s a question being posed by the Capital Regional District, which is now requesting proposals for a business case study that could be used for a pilot project.The study is being commissioned by the CRD as a transportation initiative that would include the Southern Gulf Islands (North and South Pender, Mayne, Saturna, and Galiano), Salt Spring Island and the Town of Sidney. An early plan calls for five routes between the islands to provide a low-emission alternative transportation option for residents and tourists.Sidney to Port Browning (Vancouver Island, Pender Island)Lyall Bay, Hope Bay, Horton Bay (Saturna, Pender, Mayne)Montague Harbour, Miners Bay, Ganges Harbour (Galiano, Mayne, Salt Spring)Mill Bay to Patricia Bay (Vancouver Island)Ganges Harbour to Sidney (Salt Spring, Vancouver Island)Wayne McIntyre, CRD director for Salt Spring Island Electoral Area, said that the Tour des Iles (a summer event where tourists travel between islands on small vessels) has been highly successful, and there were requests to run a similar service for more than just one week out of the year.
Edited by VicHockeyFan, 07 January 2018 - 08:16 AM.