Editor:
Reference is made to the letter by Robert Dall (Coast Reporter, Sept. 20) regarding on-time performance.
Statistics per route are reported to the BC Ferries Commission quarterly. See www.bcferrycommission.com - what's news - quarterly reports.
On-time performance is an agenda item at the Ferry Advisory Committee meetings with BCF. BCF tells us that because of space constraints at Horseshoe Bay, delays are inevitable during the peak traffic periods. Traffic is down considerably compared with five years ago. Why is there no improvement?
The on-time performances of the three routes "competing" at Horseshoe Bay were: route 3 (Horseshoe Bay-Langdale) 81 per cent in 2012/13, and 60 per cent for the first quarter of 2013/14. Route 2 Nanaimo, 77 per cent and 70.5 per cent for the same time periods. Route 8 Bowen, 90 per cent and 95 per cent for the same time periods.
Bowen appears to get preference at Horseshoe Bay, although it does not cover their operating costs. Routes 2 and 3 do.
The low figure for the first quarter on route 3 is most likely due to the repairs to the holding area at Horseshoe Bay
Jakob Knaus, Wilson Creek
