6936 replies to this topic

[LJ]

Commie bastards.

[Mike K.]

But even still, $130 is still less than $138.50, last time I checked. In that scenario, the Coho still costs more.

It can also cost less, when the exchange shifts.

[dasmo]

But rarely have a gate or even a walkway exclusively for them. Nobody but COHO and Clipper get to dock at Belleville.

And they pay for the privilege and both runs are geared to take people here and back bringing dollars here. I’m ok with nationalized infrastructure. Hard to privately finance and build each stretch of road….

[dasmo]

It can also cost less, when the exchange shifts.

And it’s what? 10% more with 1/20th the ridership.

[Mike K.]

And dependable. It’s saved plenty of family trips, too, when things went south via BCF.

[dasmo]

Either you lose $110, or $20, if you can’t make it on time. I would never pre-pay given how bad our infrastructure is and how a single, small accident can keep you from getting to the terminal on time.

It’s irritating that you lose your reservation. Also irritating that you need to be there so early for it to count. The cut off should be 15 minutes not 30. At 30 you have to time to be there 45 before. This renders the reservation useless in most cases. Unless you don’t reserve. Then you are guaranteed to have a sailing wait.

[Mike K.]

It’s a bit scammy.

I have stopped doing the reservation thing completely, it’s just too tricky to nail it down just on time when you’re coming in from a trip through the interior. As if you can plan for a 30 minute window arriving on a Sunday from Prince George, cmon now.

Also, the last two times I’ve arrived at Tsawwassen the faster way home was via Nanaimo.

Vort may not realize they not everyone’s itinerary is simple and streamlined.

[lanforod]

It absolutely should be a 15 minute window. Or really, it should be a window that ends when boarding starts, thats it. Once boarding starts, then its fair game for standby to boot reservations.

[FogPub]

Dynamic Pricing has been used by BCF for the last several years on the major routes to spread out demand. Check a random weekday in the summer Swartz to Tsawwassen. On August 11th, the first sailing at 6am is $79 (car and driver). The 7am - 3pm ones are full price ($110). After 4pm they drop, with the last two evening sailings $49. Prices will go up as more of each sailing gets booked, just as airline dynamic pricing works.

Airline dynamic pricing is awful.  If I see a flight from point A to point B costs X amount today I should be able to rely on and plan around that price if-when I go to book said flight a month later.

[Victoria Watcher]

Why?

Apply that person to person transactions like real estate or vehicles or your own labour services.

Dynamic pricing is TRUE pricing.

[dasmo]

Airline dynamic pricing is horrible!!! A month? Trie a minute. It’s also tailored to your IP or something. This last ticket I got, I tried using the robot to pre arrange it and give me a link so I could just buy it on sight. Of course the robot just lied and did not figure anything out and just gave me random links to Expedia. I did this because I know what happens…. I then gave up, started my search, saw a flight for $1,4000, ran into complications, had to back out. Went back in a minute later and that flight was no longer and the minimum was $2,400. I went with a travel agent…. If I am going to pay top dollar, someone else can do the leg work.

[LJ]

Incognito browser and a VPN.

[Victoria Watcher]

This is a bit of a strange article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

BC Ferries hopes to ease foot passenger travel between the Island and the Lower Mainland with bus service that connects passengers from Victoria and Nanaimo to key locations in Vancouver.

While the Nanaimo service to Vancouver starts next month, the Victoria service is currently up and running.

Dubbed the BC Ferries Connector and operated by Wilson’s Transportation, the cross-water coach bus service transports Victoria ferry passengers to several locations around Vancouver, including three key stops.

 

https://cheknews.ca/...p-dock-1326333/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 May 2026 - 12:04 PM.

[max.bravo]

4 new vessels being built to replace the Queen class have been named. https://www.bcferrie...r-fleet-renewal

[Victoria Watcher]

First four vessels named Summit Arbutus, Summit Cedar, Summit Maple, and Summit Spruce reflecting BC's natural environment

[Victoria Watcher]

Chinese-built vessels for B.C. Ferries will be named after trees

 

The first four new major vessels will be called the Summit Arbutus, Summit Cedar, Summit Maple and Summit Spruce.

https://www.timescol...-trees-12338058

[Mike K.]

Press release. No mention of where they’re being built in this release.

BC Ferries has announced the names for its New Major Vessels, introducing the Summit Class with individual vessels named after trees found across British Columbia.

The first four vessels will be named Summit Arbutus, Summit Cedar, Summit Maple, and Summit Spruce.

“We heard clearly through the naming process the importance of connecting these vessels to the natural environment of British Columbia and to the communities they serve – and that’s reflected in the vessel names,” said Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO of BC Ferries. “Many of our largest ships are approaching the end of their expected service life, and these new vessels are a critical part of renewing service on our busiest routes. We believe that the first four Summit Class vessels will play an important role in improving reliability, adding capacity and strengthening the system over the long term.”

The names were shaped through input from employees and a representative group of external participants through a facilitated workshop. Those discussions pointed to a strong preference for names that reflect the coast, natural environment, and the communities BC Ferries serves.

The Summit Class reflects BC’s diverse landscapes – from coast to interior to the north – and the role these vessels play within the broader system. Naming individual vessels after trees in BC creates a consistent, recognizable approach grounded in landscapes shared across the province and visible along the province’s coastline.

“Arbutus, cedar, maple and spruce are some of the most recognizable trees in British Columbia - they’re central to our forests, reflect a long tradition of environmental stewardship, and help define the province’s landscape,” said Robert Guy, professor emeritus in the Faculty of Forestry at UBC. “It’s fitting to see those names on vessels that so many British Columbians rely on to connect with family, support communities and keep people and goods moving along key coastal routes.”

The New Major Vessels project is a key part of BC Ferries’ long-term fleet renewal program. The first four vessels in the Summit Class were approved by the BC Ferry Commission in 2025 and are expected to enter service beginning in 2029, with all four vessels anticipated to be in service by 2031.

“As we build the Summit Class, consistency matters,” added Ed Hooper, Head of Fleet Renewal at BC Ferries. “We are designing these vessels as a standardized Class so they can operate interchangeably across our major routes. Today, operating multiple vessel types can limit flexibility when issues arise. The Summit Class will be a fleet of identical, interoperable vessels, which makes it easier to move vessels when and where they’re needed, aligning seamlessly with terminal infrastructure, and enabling consistent crewing and scheduling – ultimately helping BC Ferries to deliver more reliable service for our customers.”

“BCFMWU members will operate, load, repair, maintain and staff the new Summit Class vessels, continuing the work they do every day to keep coastal communities connected,” said Eric McNeely, President of the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union. “Behind every sailing, on every vessel, are skilled workers who move people and goods safely and reliably, supporting communities across British Columbia. Their knowledge, experience and commitment keep ferry service moving for the people that rely on it every day.”

Designed for the busiest routes, each Summit Class vessel is designed to carry up to 360 standard-sized vehicles and up to 2,100 passengers and crew – an increase of approximately 80 more vehicles and over 1,000 additional passengers compared to some of the vessels they will replace. The vessels are expected to improve capacity, reliability, and help meet growing demand, which has continued to increase in recent years.

“Naming these vessels marks an important milestone, but what matters most is the service they will deliver for our customers,” Jimenez added. “These ships are designed to bring more capacity, more flexibility, and more resilience to our busiest routes at a time when demand continues to grow and many of our vessels are aging. This investment is about strengthening the system for the long term while continuing to deliver safe, reliable service today.”

These four new Summit Class vessels will replace four of the oldest ships in the fleet. However, a number of other vessels are also aging, and maintaining them requires more specialized work, longer lead times for parts, and more frequent inspections – all of which can significantly impact reliability and cost. These realities underscore the need to continue renewing the aging fleet over time.

Additional Summit Class vessels are expected to be added in the future as part of the long-term fleet renewal program. Any future vessels would require approval from the BC Ferry Commission, with decisions guided by affordability, safety and reliability.