Editor:
BC Ferries CEO says fare beefs keeps tourists away and hurt coastal economies (Coast Reporter, April 24).
A more serious deterrent to ferry use is the practice of keeping thousands of passengers waiting for millions of hours in gigantic parking lots. It is poor business practice, abusive of passengers, a drain on the economy and totally unnecessary. All of those many hours could have been spent working, shopping or doing just about anything but sitting there being annoyed at BC Ferries.
The entire capacity of every sailing should be reserved, at no extra cost. Passengers could then plan ahead, and go to the terminal shortly before the sailing they have reserved. Computerize the booking system, and give a small credit for booking online. Overbook capacity in accordance with the no-show rate. It’s not rocket science. The Danish ferries have been doing it for decades, and they have over 40 routes. You could then save money by not antagonizing locals with ever larger terminals.
AJ Rowley, Hopkins Landing
