Coastal Link Ferries (CLF) engaged the public last Thursday in Gibsons to see if the passenger ferry service they are proposing is a viable travel option for the Coast.
A few weeks ago, CLF announced its intentions to provide a 70-passenger ferry that would provide several daily sailings of approximately 50 minutes between Gibsons and downtown Vancouver.
Last Thursday's meeting was a chance for the public to get to know CLF marketing director Peter Green and chief operating officer Capt. Ihab Shaker and ask questions about the service.
Green said the 22-metre, 70-passenger vessel is close to completion at a Sylte Shipyards in Maple Ridge. Sea trials are expected to start sometime next week, and following that, the company plans to host an open house in Gibsons where residents can see the vessel and learn more about the proposed service.
"We know many have tried and we hope we have learned from the past mistakes," Shaker told the audience of approximately 70 people who came to the meeting at the Gibsons Legion. "We are committed to providing a service that is reliable and one you can be proud of."
Many questions were posed from the audience including fuel costs and how energy efficient the vessel is to rates and schedules, what the vessel will look like, the long-term viability of the service, available parking to drop off and pick up passengers and whether the service would be expanded to include Sechelt.
"I can't say we will be here for a long time," said Shaker. "It works both ways. This is a business and we have to be profitable. We realize it will take time to create back-and-forth traffic and build up a trust. We'd like to be here for six years - even 10 years, but it takes two to tango. If we can prove that we are a reliable service, then we need to have the public to support us as well."
Plans are to have sailings at 7, 9 and possibly 11 a.m. leaving from Gibsons with 3 and 5 p.m. sailings leaving from Vancouver. The company indicated that they would be open to having return sailings between 5 and 7 p.m. to better accommodate commuters. The price is set right now at $24 return, but that could change depending on how popular the service is.
"If we get lots of people, a regular run of commuters that fills the vessel on a consistent basis, then the rates will stay the same or possibly go lower. If we don't get the business, then the rates may go up. It's just simple economics," Shaker said.A survey was available at the meeting and everyone who attended was encouraged to fill it out. The survey asked questions about the service, when passengers would use the vessel and what would be the preferred schedule for travel. The schedule along with a revised website should be online at www.coastallinkferries.com by the end of this week, according to Green.
"We're still working out the details of a moorage and lease agreement with the Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority (GLHA)," said Green. "So far, everyone has been very helpful and receptive, so that's encouraging. We want to make this work and make this an operation that can serve the needs of many."
Carol Doyle from the GLHA said members of the board were meeting this week to look at the proposal. "We're still in negotiations," she said. "We'd like to see some type of passenger service. It would be fabulous for Gibsons."
