153 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

Coming in August

[Victoria Watcher]

Hullo, everyone!

The time has come... Now that it's early June, we're thrilled to finally provide you with all the details you've been eagerly waiting for. As a perk for being part of our mailing list, we're giving you the news first.

This Thursday, June 8th at 6:00 AM (Pacific Time), we are announcing pricing, service launch dates, vessel tracking, and more. However, we're giving you FIRST access, so we're *secretly* launching our site early so you can see before everyone else!

Let's dive right into the information awaiting you:
Voyage Commencing in Early August

Our fast-ferry service is just around the corner! Early August, our brand new vessels will begin bringing foot-passengers between downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver. Our official start date will be announced about 4-weeks prior to launch date to give you ample time to plan (and reserve) your first sailing with Hullo!

Sail Comfort for just $29.99 when you reserve online

Get $10 off your first sailing (one-way) when you book online. Snag additional savings when you book both ways in one go. Visit our site for breakdown of pricing across Comfort, Premium, and Business with details on what each service tier offers it's passengers! Curious what these sections look like? We've got a sneak peek on our Instagram!

Sailings Times

With up to 7 round-trip sailings starting in early August, our first sailing is set to leave from Nanaimo at 6am daily, and last sailing leaves from Vancouver at 9:30pm daily. We've heard time and time again how important it is for Islanders to be able to enjoy special events on the mainland, so we'll be adding an additional late-night sailing on select dates to ensure islanders can make it back to their own beds. Yes, this includes big-name concerts and key sporting events!

Tracking Our Vessels

For our vessel-tracking enthusiasts, you can now find a vessel tracker with daily updates at www.hullo.com, allowing you to follow as they navigate their way across the Pacific Ocean to Vancouver Island.

Pet Policy

We know that bringing your furry friends onboard is important to you. We are happy to share that furry friends (cats and dogs) that can safely fit on your lap in a carrier will be permitted onboard at no extra cost to you! Please head to the FAQ portion of our site to read more on size limitations.

Bicycles Aboard

Just as pets are permitted, we've got space for your two-wheeled companions, too! Both ferries will have an outdoor space dedicated to stowing a limited number of bicycles between downtowns and must be reserved in advance to your sailing. Head to FAQ for more in-depth details.

Our crew would like to extend our thanks for being part of this journey with us. Our team is working incredibly hard behind the scenes to launch this service as soon as possible while taking the steps necessary to ensure you have the friendliest, safest, and most enjoyable travel possible.

Stay subscribed for more updates and exclusive content. We cannot wait to begin sailing with you this August!

[Victoria Watcher]

[Mike K.]

What’s the BCF walk-on rate these days? $20?

[Nparker]

 

https://www.bcferrie...46222071838.pdf

[Barrrister]

Time for a bridge. 

[spanky123]

What’s the BCF walk-on rate these days? $20?

 

Seniors rate on Hullo is $19.

 

Will be interesting to see how this works out. 

[m3m]

Isn’t the seniors rate on BC ferries free?

[lanforod]

Isn’t the seniors rate on BC ferries free?

On non holiday Mondays to Thursdays, yes.

[LJ]

Where does this dock in Vancouver?

[Victoria Watcher]

At the float plane terminal.

[Victoria Watcher]

Pets, so long as they fit on a person's lap or in a carrier, will be allowed, as will bicycles (which will have a specific stowing area).

 

 

 

https://www.timescol...o-ferry-7115725

 

 

 

 

^ would that be better than BCF offers?

[spanky123]

^ would that be better than BCF offers?

 

I think the products will serve different markets due to where they dock in Vancouver.

[Mike K.]

How many times has this been tried now? Is this try #4?

[Victoria Watcher]

It’s at least #3 with actual craft running. Hard to know how it’ll fare.

[Mike K.]

It didn’t work when Nanaimo had 90,000 people, 100,000 people, or 120,000 people. But it’ll work with 130,000 people? I don’t know what the business case entails but the population density needing car-free access to Vancouver isn’t much higher than it was 20 years ago.

[vortoozo]

It didn’t work when Nanaimo had 90,000 people, 100,000 people, or 120,000 people. But it’ll work with 130,000 people? I don’t know what the business case entails but the population density needing car-free access to Vancouver isn’t much higher than it was 20 years ago.

 

WFH may have changed things from a commuter perspective.

Someone that works for an office downtown Vancouver may be able to work 2-3 days per week from home in Nanaimo. And now the passenger ferry can get them to the office and back a few times per week without much friction. Could be a new market that didn't exist previously.

However, I think the 2 boat - 7 sailing schedule looks ambitious. We'll see if that lasts.

 

I was on one of the last HarbourLynx sailings before the engine failure. It seemed like they had finally figured things out by then and were, on the surface, operating sustainably. But ultimately, no further funds for an engine replacement were available and that was that. 

[Mike K.]

Yes, it’s all possible. We know, being locals, that sustaining such a service 365 days per year is not easy. Lots of companies have tried to do it but they couldn’t overcome the off season, and the expense of such a pricey region that is very cost conscious.

[Victoria Watcher]

Ferry crew members were on the spuhels and the sthuqi at the Nanaimo Port Authority about 3:15 p.m. The vessels carry hul’q’umi’num First Nation names.

 

The catamarans were built by Damen Shipyards in Vietnam. They rode on a large carrier vessel to Ogden Point where they were lifted up and onto the water. The ships arrived in late June and were moved to Point Hope for testing and sea trials.

 

A precise date for the start of service has not been announced yet.

 

 

https://www.timescol...nanaimo-7280727

 

 

Up to seven daily round trip sailings are planned. Each ferry will be able to carry 354 passengers.

 

One-way fares range from $39.99 to $59.99 for a 70-minute crossing, depending on the class. An introductory offer will reduce fares by $10 for a first-time booking.

[Mike K.]

Walk-on passengers are budget travellers. Seniors often wait for days of the week when they can walk-on free, or not pay the passenger fee, on BC Ferries.

That’s the thing. It’s nearly impossible to compete with a heavily subsidized government alternative. The only hope for these private ferry companies is to become subsidized by arguing BC Ferries can’t keep up with demand or is too overloaded by HR requirements, and an alternative is necessary.

$40 one-way and up, is going to be very tricky.