Editor:
Once again we are to be held hostage to B.C. Ferries, whilst they merrily raise the fares and reduce the services. Lower fares mean more customers.
Here are a few suggestions to relieve the pain for those of us who have to travel across the water but are non-wage earners (children, seniors, etc.).
First and foremost, equip the ferries to run on a less expensive fuel; that would be more efficient in every way.
Second, reduce the personnel currently employed, both on the ships and at the terminals, by computerizing loading procedures (lane numbers, stop/go/direction, etc.), eliminating the full kitchen/restaurants on routes that take less than an hour to complete. The snack bar could be equipped with more vending machines.
Third, consider the introduction of commercial-traffic-only ferries at specific times, say two in the morning and two in the afternoon, thus reducing the pressure on private vehicles and allowing for more vehicles/passengers per sailing.
Consider the use of residents-only fare cards - these could be pre-purchased by Coast residents (on proof of residential address) at a reasonable discount. The card could be swiped at the entry booth for quicker entry to the terminal (thus giving a record of who and how often these cards are used).
Let's get B.C. Ferries to think outside the cash cow that we have become and get creative with modernizing their whole set-up to suit the 21st century.
Ralph Meyer, Sechelt
