If you frequently use B.C. Ferries, you’re well aware that traveling during long weekends can be unpredictable. Malfunctions occur with the vessels, leading to delays or cancellations of sailings. As a consequence, lengthy waits are common—even for those who have made reservations.
Two round-trip sailings from the Lower Mainland to the Sunshine Coast were cancelled over the Easter weekend after a vessel was brought in by tugboat due to a
mechanical failure
.
“It’s left residents and visitors to the island waiting hours to get on a ferry,” Silas White, the mayor of Gibsons, B.C., told CBC’s
The Early Edition
Host Stephen Quinn states, “Additionally, unexpected cancelations can strand visitors on the island. Meanwhile, individuals on the mainland—be they students, those with medical appointments, or daily commuters—are prevented from returning home.”
The period of uncertainty has led the mayors of Gibsons and Bowen Island, two seaside towns dependent on B.C. Ferries, to take action.
pen a letter
To the province urging action and accountability to guarantee safe passage on key routes.
White mentioned that one of the major hurdles is the numerous organizations managing ferry services, which frequently blame each other.
“Whether our main worry involves overlooking an extra ferry over a lengthy holiday weekend as we recently experienced, or even something less serious such as unclear signs or communication issues… there’s nobody taking responsibility for these matters,” stated White.
First, there’s the privately held company of
B.C. Ferries
itself, with a board of directors which oversees its operations. It also has a CEO, who “provides leadership and strategic direction.”
Then, there’s the
B.C. Ferry Authority
, an independent, no-share capital corporation established and governed by the Coastal Ferry Act, “responsible for overseeing the strategic direction of B.C. Ferries in support of the public interest.”
Next, the
B.C. Ferry Commission
is the independent regulator of B.C. Ferries. Its job is to hold ferry service providers accountable for things like wage fares, capital projects and adhering to service contracts with the province.
And finally, the provincial
Ministry of Transportation and Transit
is accountable for the transportation network throughout British Columbia.
Confused yet?
CBC News asked for comments from all the mentioned organizations. However, the ferry authority did not respond.
The communication spokesperson for the ferry commissioner stated, “It ultimately depends on the government if they wish to involve Commissioner [Eva] Hage in any talks.”
In an emailed statement to CBC News, the ministry said it remains at “arms-length” from B.C. Ferries because it is a privately owned company.
“It is our expectation that B.C. Ferries provides a reliable service that meets the needs of the communities they serve,” the ministry said.
B.C. Ferries efforts
In an emailed statement to CBC News, a B.C. Ferries spokesperson said the company has been in touch with Mayor White and Bowen Island Mayor Andrew Leonard and plans to work on making the service more reliable.
While cancellations and delays happen, the ferry service often points to its aging fleet as the reason for disruptions. Some of the ships are decades old.
“The reality today is that we do not have enough spare vessels in the fleet to step in when something goes wrong, particularly during peak travel periods, so a single breakdown can ripple across multiple routes,” the spokesperson said.
B.C. Ferries has promised new vessels, although the
commissioner only approved four
Of the five that were asked for.
It announced
improvements at the Horseshoe Bay terminal
, catering to those traveling to and from Bowen Island. Over time, this initiative aims to enhance the overall travel experience for passengers; however, they have been informed that construction at the terminal will likely continue for “multiple years,” causing potential disruptions during that period.
The ferry service has boosted the number of walk-on passengers for certain trips to Snug Cove on Bowen Island with the aim to “ease demand during busy times, ensure smoother movement of pedestrian traffic at the terminal, and offer more options for travelers.”
Mayor Leonard remains unconvinced of its effectiveness.
“Even if the number of passengers can go up, does it really matter if the ferries are operating 60 to 90 minutes late?” he asked. “Given that the basic service is inconsistent—often off-schedule—and frequently being canceled, I’m wondering just how helpful this increase will actually be.”
The correspondence from April 25 had remained unanswered until at least May 6. It calls for a written reply to be provided by May 31.
As the May long weekend approaches in about ten days, Leonard mentioned that municipalities are feeling eager.
Chaos is expected.
