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Letters: No more lineups, please

Editor: I have been writing letters to BC Ferries for about five years with suggestions on ways to avoid waiting at the terminal, so far without success. I suggested that: They could implement variable rates to reduce ridership at peak times.

Editor:

I have been writing letters to BC Ferries for about five years with suggestions on ways to avoid waiting at the terminal, so far without success.

I suggested that: They could implement variable rates to reduce ridership at peak times. They could use the experience card for reservation collateral or online check in. They could release 20 per cent reservation blocks at 30 or more days, 10 days, five days and 24 hours, right up to sailing time so you have a realistic chance of booking. They could limit reservations to one round trip per route so one family doesn’t get all the prime sailings. They could revoke reservation rights for those who don’t show up for their reservation. They could use radio frequency identification (RFID) and smart camera technology to get you through the terminal faster and integrate it with your booking. They could text you when you should come to the terminal for your sailing so the terminal isn’t plugged full of cars (especially if there is a delay). They could communicate to us better. And they could release historical data so you know what sailings are most likely to leave cars behind. OR they could continue to do nothing and just make you wait in the terminal idling in the extreme heat, cold and rain for hours with little to do: “Sailing granted only to those willing to wait.”

If you think they should incorporate any of these ideas, please tweet #WhatRyanSaid to @bcferries or email customer.relations@bcferries.com with “What Ryan Said” in the subject line.

Ryan Rowat, Halfmoon Bay