BC Ferries is resuming service on the Horseshoe Bay-Nanaimo route June 3 with four round trips per day – and in order to avoid congestion at Horseshoe Bay, the schedules for the Langdale and Bowen Island routes are being adjusted.
“In order to support coastal B.C. and respond to the need of British Columbians, we are gradually and safely restoring our service,” said BC Ferries president Mark Collins in a release Monday. “Demand has increased such that resuming service on the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay route better serves the needs of customers.”
There will still be six sailings daily on the Langdale route. Starting June 3 they will leave Langdale at 6:20 a.m., 8:20 a.m., 10:20 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Sailings will leave Horseshoe Bay at 7:20 a.m., 9:20 a.m., 11:20 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 7:25 p.m.
“The schedule on the Earls Cove-Saltery Bay route will also be adjusted to ensure connectivity for customers,” Ferries said.
BC Ferries is continuing to load ships at 50 per cent of the usual passenger capacity, following a directive from Transport Canada, and is advising people who want to use the Horseshoe Bay-Nanaimo route to make reservations and show up an hour ahead of the sailing time. They’re also recommending foot passengers get to the terminal in plenty of time because of the limits on passenger numbers.
Collins said the resumption of sailings means BC Ferries can begin recalling some of its employees.
