153 replies to this topic

[Victoria Watcher]

The fact it goes downtown is helpful.

But it’s going to be tough.

Mid-day, mid-week loads are going to be pretty awful, especially in winter. We shall see.

It would be better if it could shave another 20 minutes off.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 15 July 2023 - 06:44 AM.

[Mike K.]

Someone hasn’t done their homework. It’s like these companies use analyses from other markets and apply them here.

Like the big box strategies that plop a giant store in Nanaimo, which has a ‘metro’ catchment of 500,000 people at first glance, and when you look at a map. But they don’t realize psychologically Nanaimo is untethered from Victoria, and there’s no way to get there if you’re not driving.

Same thing with these Nanaimo ferries. They must assume people from Oak Bay will be riding this thing, and the thinking has got to be ‘they all live on that small island, and there’s no walk-on alternative to those giant slow ferries? Where do I invest!”

[Victoria Watcher]

Pre WFH they might have counted on 300 or 400 executives for a base. That might be gone now.

[Sparky]

I think the previous fast ferry experienced low ridership midday, midweek, especially midwinter.

[Mike K.]

By mid-morning it was midway through its ridership for the day, I heard.

[Sparky]

When their engine blew up there was a sigh of relief.

[Mike K.]

Someone must have middled with it.

[LJ]

If they have no passengers, will they still make the trip to stay on sched?

[Victoria Watcher]

The new walk-on Hullo fast ferries will set sail Aug. 14 with four daily departures each way from downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver.

 

Bookings can be made starting next week for the 70-minute trip.

 

It’s a tremendously exciting period for us all,” Hullo chief executive Alastair Caddick said. “Our dedicated Hullo crew has been working relentlessly to bring this highly anticipated bi-coastal service to life. We can’t wait to welcome our first guests aboard in just a few short weeks.”

 

The initial schedule will be expanded in the next two months, the company said.

 

Schedule from Nanaimo Port Authority:

 

Departs at 6 a.m., 10 a.m., 4:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The final sailing may be subject to special events.

 

Schedule from the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre:

 

Departs at 8 a.m., noon, 6:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., final sailing may be adjusted to accommodate special events.

 

The company plans to add additional sailings in the future.

 

Out of Nanaimo, future sailings are planned at 8 a.m., noon and 5:30 pm.

From Vancouver, future sailings are expected to be at 10 a.m., 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

 

 

https://www.timescol...-aug-14-7301338

[Victoria Watcher]

Reservations now open.

[Mike K.]

The website is broken, I am unable to select dates.

[Victoria Watcher]

Ya. It looks like they did not choose a great one.

Some redundant steps to book.

For example, simple things, like dates that have already passed, or before the service starts, can be entered.

And you can’t actually click on the sets map, you must pick from a drop-down.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 26 July 2023 - 07:22 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

"Seat selection" costs $3 per seat.  Unclear if it assigns you a seat if you skip this optional step.  

[Victoria Watcher]

You say Hullo, but soon it might be goodbye

Re: “Hullo? Come to Victoria as well as Nanaimo,” letter, July 25.

 

In response to the letter from the Victoria area resident expressing jealousy of the new Hullo ferry, that will connect downtown Vancouver with Nanaimo, perhaps wait to see how this unfolds.

 

Launching in mid August? Why miss the busy spring and early summer?

 

More perplexing, they are not allowing passengers to bring large luggage! Small carry‑ons only?

 

Hello?

 

The benefit of arriving in downtown Vancouver harbour, with easy access to the cruise ship terminal and the Canada Line (and on to YVR) is rendered useless without the ability to bring luggage.

 

It calls into question the leadership of this new venture.

 

Like past ventures — perhaps before long — we’ll be saying goodbye to Hullo.

 

 

Robert Sharman

Gabriola

 

https://www.timescol...n-ferry-7331085

[spanky123]

^ They allow carryon sized bags which is fine for most overnight guests. 

[Victoria Watcher]

Beginning Monday, Aug. 14, islanders will have one more option when travelling to the mainland with the official launch of the Hullo ferry service.

 

The new foot passenger ferries will operate between downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver. According to Hullo.com, four sailings leave from the Nanaimo terminal tomorrow — departing at 6 and 10 a.m., and 4:30 and 8:30 p.m.

 

https://www.cheknews...monday-1164302/

[Victoria Watcher]

First day.  Middle of summer. 

 

Cancellations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After years of planning and preparations, a new fast-ferry connection between the Harbour City and Lower Mainland is officially underway, albeit a little delayed.

 

Hullo’s inaugural sailing was scheduled to leave the Nanaimo cruise ship terminal at 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 14, but Mother Nature had other ideas with wind preventing safe passage between the city and Vancouver. Overnight power outages also played a role, according to the company.

 

Alastair Caddick, Hullo’s CEO, told NanaimoNewsNOW despite the speed bump, Monday’s launch is the latest milestone in a very, very long journey to this point.

 

“It’s gone from a conceptual idea to being very, very real. Having both of our ferries in Nanaimo and doing daily training runs back and forth to Vancouver has made it feel very real and is a great experience for our teams to go through all that training so we’re all ready for the launch.”

 

 

 

 

https://nanaimonewsn...-once-on-board/

 

 

 

 

 

https://weather.gc.c...02&siteID=14305

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 August 2023 - 05:19 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

August 14th: Morning Sailing Cancellation Notice

In light of the city-wide power outages late last night that caused a loss of power to the berth and to the vessels, it is crucial to run an impact assessment impact across all our vessel systems to ensure the absolute safety and reliability of our operations. This need for this review has led us to make the early decision to cancel our morning sailings from Nanaimo at 6:00 am and Vancouver at 8:00 am. In addition, Environment Canada provided an alert in respect of gale force winds, which will continue to be monitored closely by our team.

Safety and reliability remain our North Star at Hullo. While we recognize the anticipation and excitement surrounding our early sailings, our commitment to ensuring an impeccably safe voyage for our passengers is unwavering. As Hullo sets its course in these initial months, we are adopting a deliberately conservative stance, with the safety and well-being of our passengers steering our decisions.

Rest assured, your sailing fees will be seamlessly returned to your original method of payment. We promise to keep you abreast of any updates impacting future sailings. Should you have further questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us at support@hullo.com.

Your understanding during these early days is invaluable to us. Our long-term vision is not only to be a transportation provider but a pillar of reliability and trust in the community. With this commitment in mind, we eagerly await the moment when we can welcome you aboard, assuring a journey that melds safety with unparalleled service.

Warm regards,

The Hullo Crew

 

 

 

 

https://hullo.com/po...ailing-updates/

 

 

 

 

Passengers in Nanaimo were given 30 minutes notice and no alternative provided.  

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 August 2023 - 05:22 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

NanaimoNewsNOW was on board for the first crossing. Here is more on what travellers can expect:

 

https://nanaimonewsn...-once-on-board/

 

 

 

 

 

Really.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 14 August 2023 - 05:23 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

It later cancelled the 10 a.m. trip out of Nanaimo, as service testing had yet to be completed by 8 a.m. Hullo spokesperson Andrea Bava said the 4:30 p.m. sailing out of Nanaimo was "looking positive."

 

Bava said that the 12 p.m. sailing from Vancouver will sail if testing is successfully completed. She said that she's expecting to know if the Vancouver sailing will go by 9 a.m.

 

Alastair Caddick, CEO of Hullo, said in a statement the company was assessing the impact of the outage on vessel systems. "This need for this review has led us to make the early decision to cancel our morning sailings from Nanaimo at 6 a.m and Vancouver at 8 a.m."

 

 

https://www.timescol...l-today-7402531