Editor:
A recent article on on-time ferry performance tells only half the story. The government is very concerned about ferries departing on time because if the last ferry arrives late, BC Ferries incurs overtime expenses. This provides an incentive for ferries to depart on time but only partially loaded: BC Ferries has collected the fares, but leaves passengers to wait over two hours despite the fact empty deck space has left without them.
My interest in partially loaded ferries started when I was left behind despite empty deck space. On my next ferry trip I took a tape measure. There was enough deck space for over 30 more motorcycles despite the four motorcycles left behind. Even allowing for two feet between properly loaded cars, there was enough room for 12 per cent more cars (about 25 cars) if available deck space had been used.
BC Ferries tracks on-time performance because late departures costs them money in overtime. They do not track loading performance (cars unnecessarily left behind) because they don’t care: they already have the money.
I care less about departing five minutes late than I do about being left behind for two hours and missing an appointment in Vancouver as a result.
On northern routes, BC Ferries employees coach cars up against the one in front and cars are packed on like sardines. There are 34 employees on our ferries. What are they doing while the ferry is tied up and loading? Surely four employees could be spared to assist efficient loading if it increases efficiency by 12 per cent and prevents passengers from being left behind?
BC Ferries is a public service, enjoying a monopoly. They have no incentive to provide efficient service. Surely, as a minimum, they should be required to provide us with basic performance data like loading efficiency.
Bruce Woodburn, Sechelt
