Pacific Ferries says it has left a mechanical problem in its wake – and with steady traffic on the early morning run from Gibsons to Horseshoe Bay, the company is looking to add runs later this spring.
Pacific had to pull the Coastal Clipper from the water for repairs to one of the drive legs just a day after starting the highly anticipated morning trips. The Clipper returned to service last week, and the company’s Linda Feuerhelm said they’re getting around 17 passengers a day for the 6:25 a.m. departures from Gibsons (the return trip is 5:10 p.m. from Horseshoe Bay).
Feuerhelm said Pacific Ferries is now hoping to add two more weekday commuter trips and looking forward to June when the tourist season is expected to bring a boost in traffic. They’re also laying the groundwork for a Friday late-night trip from Coal Harbour in downtown Vancouver to Gibsons.
“The way we want to do this is, we have the two runs that are scheduled and are starting to break even. The next one we’re going to start is at seven o’clock in the morning [out of Horseshoe Bay] … so the next two runs will be seven o’clock and 7:45 a.m. [from Gibsons]. And then we’re going to work on the 6:45 p.m. and build up the ridership for that run,” Feuerhelm said. “Then we’re going to look at the 11 o’clock [p.m. out of Coal Harbour to Gibsons].”
Feuerhelm said the travellers they’ll be going after are people or families who want to head into the city for big events or a night out and have the option of a late return.
Of the two new commuter runs, Fueurhelm said a 7:45 a.m. trip out of Gibsons will still get people into Horseshoe Bay in time to get downtown early, and she expects it to appeal to those who either want to, or have to, take a little extra time on the Sunshine Coast side before getting on a ferry.
