Editor:
I agree with last week's writer who suggested that we cater to the elite few ("It's a luxury cruise, not a ferry service," Coast Reporter letters, Oct. 5) and for a sailing such as ours, we need to really pare it down to basics. We do not need shopping or entertainment to any degree. A decent coffee, newspaper and a snack is all that time permits on this route. The Blackball operation in the Washington state Gulf Islands is a good example of how to do what is intended: get Mr. and Mrs. Joe Average and family back and forth as efficiently as possible.
To note, they provide a similar service, at a fraction of the cost. And what of the free 40-minute ride for those on Kootenay Lake who are, like us, just getting home?
The government should reclaim this service and provide good employment dictated by good employment policy, and not profit margin and arbitrary legislation. Have services such as sundries, and news provided by local service groups. Save B.C. Ferries the cost involved, and spread profits back through the community by those who serve need, not greed
John Paulin, Gibsons
