While the upcoming changes in B.C. Ferries' Langdale to Horseshoe Bay schedule are set to take place on May 19, there have been issues with the matter of co-ordinating the changes with BC Transit.
A letter from the District of Nanaimo, written to BC Transit president and CEO Manuel Achadinha regarding similar transit provision concerns for their area, was received by the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) at its infrastructure services committee meeting May 6.
The matter of transit and ferry co-ordination then opened the door to a lengthy discussion on current issues Coast residents and other communities are facing with B.C. Ferries.
Gibsons Mayor Barry Janyk outlined issues discussed at a recent meeting held between the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, the B.C. Ferries Advisory Com-mittee and Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom.
Janyk said short- and long-term issues were examined including the need for funding to relieve the fare shock that's taking place, particularly on the minor routes.
"I think we got a good and fair hearing from the ministry," Janyk said. "UBCM is going to be submitting a brief to the ferries' commissioner for his consideration by the 30th of June. He will get back with a public declaration of what the fares will be by the end of September. There is no easy solution."
Halfmoon Bay director Garry Nohr recommended requesting a visit with Lekstrom on issues with B.C. Ferries and transportation.
"Our issues are different than Nanaimo's, but it's still ongoing, and there are concerns," Nohr said.
Bus shelters
After a discussion on bus shelter maintenance at the 2011 budget meetings, SCRD staff were instructed to review the option of an adopt-a-bus-shelter program.
Staff told the committee that the Sunshine Coast Transit System currently has 30 wood shelters and nine glass shelters between Langdale and Halfmoon Bay, and most of them have been installed over the past two years through gas tax funding.
Although the gas tax funding is in place, there has been no increase in staff resources for maintenance of the shelters. Additionally, due to the geographic distance the transit system operates within, it is a challenge for staff to dedicate significant time for shelter maintenance.
The adopt-a-bus-shelter program would assist with this issue. Mirroring the adopt-a-highway program where citizens or groups pick up garbage along sections of highways, volunteers would do the same at bus shelters, along with additional cleaning and possible minor landscaping. Volunteers would be provided with training from SCRD staff and equipped with necessary materials.
The basis for the program is to avoid unsightly conditions that can create an environment for vandalism or criminal activity.
