Editor:
After commuting for over 10 years, it is clear that no matter what schedule changes are made, the fact of the matter is that a single ferry cannot keep up with the demand, especially getting home from Vancouver before 6 p.m. As a regular commuter, all I want from BC Ferries is to get me to work in Vancouver at a reasonable time in the morning and home by 6 at night so I can be with my family. This can easily be achieved with two additional ferry sailings using a second boat.
Having an additional ferry sailing at 7:25 a.m. from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay, in between the 6:20 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. sailings, will alleviate the possible overload situation that I hear announced virtually every day while taking the 8:25 a.m. sailing from Langdale to Vancouver.
Most importantly, change the ferry schedule coming back from Vancouver, so that there is a 3:30 and 5:30 sailing and add an additional sailing at 4:30 p.m. from Horseshoe Bay. This will ensure that the majority of commuters have a chance to be home at 6 p.m. or shortly after.
These simple changes will increase the quality of life for regular commuters since the 3:50 p.m. sailing from Horseshoe Bay is too early for most commuters and the 5:50 p.m. is too late, pun intended, as we don’t get home before 7 p.m., like almost never.
Please, BC Ferries, spare us regular commuters from another summer of constant overload and late ferries. The simple fact is that the demand for the service outstrips what you can deliver, no matter what you do with the current schedule. The simple changes proposed here is what will really work.
In the meantime, I will continue to take Pacific Ferries as it is the only reliable way, as a commuter, that I can get home to Gibsons by 6 p.m.
Mitch Barnett, Gibsons
