Editor:
I’ve been meaning to write and send thanks to BC Ferries for the excellent hourly service provided recently. It’s made a world of difference to my experience of sailing back and forth to the mainland. I’ve been analyzing what’s made the positive difference in on-time performance and reduction of overloads. A few things are clearly evident.
The hourly sailings with two vessels involved appear to have created some much needed competition to load efficiently and be on time.
The hourly loading of only decks 2 and 3 on Queen of Surrey or Coquitlam allows approximately 63 per cent of the vessels’ capacity or 200 of 320 vehicles to be utilized. This equals an increase in capacity of close to 30 per cent vs. full loads being taken every two hours. Obvious this is the key reason!
The usual loading of deck 4 could not have been causing delays, as a separate ramp, staging lines and staff are utilized to accomplish this. It should make no difference at all.
Everything worked well recently with the hourly sailings, 30 per cent load increase and winter load volumes. Even so, many sailings I was on were close to full, and that was with winter load volumes.
I have come to the conclusion that the future solution required to maintain an adequate and customer-oriented service is hourly sailings utilizing the same size class C vessels (Queen of Surrey/Coquitlam) with the option of loading deck 4 when weekend, summer or holiday volumes demand it.
Going back to a single-vessel, bi-hourly sailings and a 30 per cent reduction in capacity is not an option. Nor is moving to smaller vessels on an hourly schedule.
The true cost of meeting customer demand must be realized by our government and BC Ferries. If that’s not feasible, it is then time to build bridges.
Kevin Rea, Roberts Creek
