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Post by brokenfoot123 on Oct 20, 2008 9:44:51 GMT -8
This last weekend I was over in the gulf islands for work. Normally I take my own boat over since it's usually just myself, but this time I had to bring over building supplies. I got to Tsawwassen for the 7 am boat to Mayne, which didn't leave until 7:30, stopped at Galliano about 45 minutes later than the schedule said it would and arrived at Mayne late to the point that they simply waved me from one boat to the next. I finally arrived at my destination late and got poopoo for it.
Not to start anything, but I seriously don't know how anyone can call the ferry system here in BC, "efficient" when it takes 2 - 3 hours (Sometimes MORE) to get from Tsawwassen to any of the southern gulf islands like Pender, Mayne or Saturna when I can make the same trip in my personal powerboat is as little as 45 minutes.
And what the hell is with the ticket prices? For a round trip, Vancouver to Victoria it costs me about 160$!
I tell you what, I'm seriously considering buying or building a landing craft, at least then I'll get to work on time!
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Post by piledriver on Oct 20, 2008 10:12:32 GMT -8
When you do that, I will gladly hop aboard.
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Post by Hardy on Oct 20, 2008 11:47:17 GMT -8
I tend to agree in theory that the service Tsa-SGI is somewhat lacking. However, as it is done as a "series" route, with the individual stops at the islands on the way to the ultimate destination, this service is bound to run behind.
When you are loading the vessel at Tsawwassen, it takes a little bit of time to sort out which traffic gets loaded where (in a perfect world, when the ticket agent directs you to a lane, you should go to the proper lane, but that is in a perfect world). It takes a while to sort out destination traffic, and then, god forbid, if there is a trailer, truck, camper etc that has to try to make the LOOP around on the Nanaimo, or worse yet, as I have had to do, back all the way on the ferry from the ramp. This all adds to the loading time and throws the schedule off before the vessel even leaves the dock. Repeat this procedure a few times at the stops along the way, which is compounded when traffic loads are high.
I do sympathize with the frustration that you endured. Your estimation of your trip time is obviously for yourself, without the addition of others, and is also direct. So your time comparison is not valid. I agree that it is far more convenient for you to travel by yourself on your own vessel.
Efficient or not, this is what we are stuck with, and if we want to use it, we have to live with it's shortcomings.
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Mill Bay
Voyager 
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,886 
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Post by Mill Bay on Oct 20, 2008 13:00:10 GMT -8
I do sympathize with the frustration that you endured. Your estimation of your trip time is obviously for yourself, without the addition of others, and is also direct. So your time comparison is not valid. I agree that it is far more convenient for you to travel by yourself on your own vessel. Efficient or not, this is what we are stuck with, and if we want to use it, we have to live with it's shortcomings. This all seems to be mainly a mental exercise... when ferry service first started to the SGI, residents and travellers had to make do with service that might be a few times per week. At least route 9 generally makes at least two voyages each day on the winter schedule. It simply seems to be a side effect of the way we've all trained ourselves (or been trained) to expect everything instantaneously with all our modern conveniences... 24 hour drive-thrus and convenience stores, fed-ex delivery, instant messaging and faxes, cell-phones, video conferencing, tech-support hotlines and online social sites. What are we doing to ourselves anyway making ourselves think like this and expecting, even demanding what we think should be better service all the time? Not to mention all the people who sacrifice themselves working graveyard shifts to staff all those 24 hour drive-thrus and convenience stores. And if it's not you making the demands, then it's someone else making demands upon you. Whatever happened to doing an honest day's work and then going home to your family, having a meal together and going to bed at a reasonable hour? We are not 'stuck' with these services, they are actually fairly reliable and work well with a bit of effort. We could easily be stuck with a system that is far worse and would horrify us even more in it's ineffectiveness. Maybe it's a simple matter of, we get the services that we need rather than what we would like to demand, and God help us if we ever did get what we demand, because we wouldn't be satisfied with it either. |
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,189
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Post by Neil on Oct 20, 2008 13:36:21 GMT -8
This last weekend I was over in the gulf islands for work. Normally I take my own boat over since it's usually just myself, but this time I had to bring over building supplies. I got to Tsawwassen for the 7 am boat to Mayne, which didn't leave until 7:30, stopped at Galliano about 45 minutes later than the schedule said it would and arrived at Mayne late to the point that they simply waved me from one boat to the next. I finally arrived at my destination late and got peanuts for it. Not to start anything, but I seriously don't know how anyone can call the ferry system here in BC, "efficient" when it takes 2 - 3 hours (Sometimes MORE) to get from Tsawwassen to any of the southern gulf islands like Pender, Mayne or Saturna when I can make the same trip in my personal powerboat is as little as 45 minutes. I'm not clear on where it is that you were going. The only time you would leave Tsawwassen at 7 am would be Monday through Friday, to go to Saturna, and you would transfer at Swartz Bay, not Mayne, which you seem to indicate you did. What is the point of comparing ferry time to the time you could do in a direct trip on a 'personal powerboat'? Next time you're in the Gulf Islands, notice the number of times you see the Mayne Queen or Queen of Cumberland sailing around virtually empty. The ' Nanaimo is also often far below capacity. The Gulf Islands are very awkward to serve properly, and while I agree on the fares issue, service levels are probably about where they should be. p.s..... gentle nudge to moderators; for weeks now, I've been looking at the line "Share a ferry trip that you have took", in the description for 'Ferry Travel- Trips'. Baaaad English. |
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Post by brokenfoot123 on Oct 20, 2008 14:38:51 GMT -8
The Ferry system is supposed to be a part of our highway system, we shouldn't have to pay for it at all, or at least not the routes to Vancouver Island. As for my final destination, it was Saturna, normally I would go through swartz bay but the only reservation I could get at the late notice I got my work order was the Southern Gulf Island Day cruise >_> As for the Nanaimo being under capacity, I've noticed that on occasion. There have been times where I was the ONLY car on the ferry and maybe one of the only 30 people on board (save for the crew). I think they should have more smaller boats going more often, instead of having a 2 - 3 hour wait time if you miss a sailing, you could get another boat in 30 - 45 minutes, an hour at the most. What is the point of comparing ferry time to the time you could do in a direct trip on a 'personal powerboat'? The point is, the ferry system should AT LEAST be able to keep pace with 16' powerboat, I'm only cruising at about 19 knots, less in rougher weather. I know the Nanaimo is at least able to do 15 and the smaller inter island ferries can do about 12. There have been times when a storm has blown through and the ferries stop running because of it and I've gone across in as little as an 8 foot Zodiac with a 10 horse on the back. The ferry service is horrible, they wouldn't be allowed to get away with it in any other line of transportation. (Rail, Air, ect...) |
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Post by Mike C on Oct 20, 2008 15:15:19 GMT -8
The Ferry system is supposed to be a part of our highway system, we shouldn't have to pay for it at all, or at least not the routes to Vancouver Island. Agreed. There is one community, possibly several, living in poverty due to high ferry fares... It's now costing my family over $400 roundtrip to take the ferry with our 20' travel trailer. As for my final destination, it was Saturna, normally I would go through swartz bay but the only reservation I could get at the late notice I got my work order was the Southern Gulf Island Day cruise >_> That'll do it. Saturna, on every sailing, requires a transfer at Mayne. That's just the way it goes... As for the Nanaimo being under capacity, I've noticed that on occasion. There have been times where I was the ONLY car on the ferry and maybe one of the only 30 people on board (save for the crew). I think they should have more smaller boats going more often, instead of having a 2 - 3 hour wait time if you miss a sailing, you could get another boat in 30 - 45 minutes, an hour at the most. Agreed. I've always thought 2 (off-peak) 3 (peak) Tsawwassen-sized boats serving the islands. What I will say is, that every 30-45 minutes is an unrealistic frequency. Every 1-3 hours is fine enough. There are usually only 2-3 sailings per day from Tsawwassen to the Gulf Islands, and also bear in mind the crossing times (it's 50 minutes to get to Galiano, over an hour to Mayne, about an hour-40 to get to Long Harbour, not sure about Pender...). I'm willing to issue you a challenge: If you can come up with a schedule, that serves all the communities with inter-island service, have 1 vessel crewed out of Long Harbour and two out out Tsawwassen AND provides the frequency out of Tsawwassen that is necessary, I will be impressed. ------------------------------------ Bear in mind, like said above, these are milk-run sailings and will make several stops. You have to be patient, and plan ahead, but you're absolutley right, late sailings cannot be tolerated. What is the point of comparing ferry time to the time you could do in a direct trip on a 'personal powerboat'? The point is, the ferry system should AT LEAST be able to keep pace with 16' powerboat, I'm only cruising at about 19 knots, less in rougher weather. I know the Nanaimo is at least able to do 15 and the smaller inter island ferries can do about 12. I'm going to side with Neil on this one, because that is a stupid comparison. Obviously your little boat will win, because in the above quote, you even admitted your powerboat can go faster... and it doesn't have to stop in all the communities. There have been times when a storm has blown through and the ferries stop running because of it and I've gone across in as little as an 8 foot Zodiac with a 10 horse on the back. lol... The ferry service is horrible, they wouldn't be allowed to get away with it in any other line of transportation. (Rail, Air, ect...) I'm going to disagree with that. Air Canada. 'Nuff said. |
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Post by brokenfoot123 on Oct 20, 2008 15:58:58 GMT -8
That'll do it. Saturna, on every sailing, requires a transfer at Mayne. That's just the way it goes... Uh... Sorry, you're wrong there, in the summer there is a boat that goes directly from Saturna to Swartz Bay. What I will say is, that every 30-45 minutes is an unrealistic frequency. Every 1-3 hours is fine enough. It's not unrealistic if you have say 5 or 6 boats the size of the Cumberland, if a bit bigger. You could load one and have it gone in as little 25 minutes. I'm going to side with Neil on this one, because that is a stupid comparison. Obviously your little boat will win, because in the above quote, you even admitted your powerboat can go faster... and it doesn't have to stop in all the communities. The point I was trying to make is that the ferries should at LEAST be able TO KEEP UP, I'm not expecting them to be as quick, just be a bit more prompt with the crossings. Was that a failed attempt at sarcasm? The ferry service is horrible, they wouldn't be allowed to get away with it in any other line of transportation. (Rail, Air, ect...) I'm going to disagree with that. Air Canada. 'Nuff said.[/quote] What I meant is that they can't even BARELY keep to their own schedules. This level of impotence isn't tolerated with the level that it is in the ferry system. the public transit system in Vancouver for example, as bad as it can be at times at least is reliable. |
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Post by Mike C on Oct 20, 2008 16:16:57 GMT -8
Uh... Sorry, you're wrong there, in the summer there is a boat that goes directly from Saturna to Swartz Bay. Yes, you got me there, I thought you meant going from Tsawwassen, that's why I mentioned the transfers... It's not unrealistic if you have say 5 or 6 boats the size of the Cumberland, if a bit bigger. You could load one and have it gone in as little 25 minutes. FIVE OR SIX!? BAHA, Are you insane!? 5 or 6, that's a stupid number! Do you have any idea how much that would cost? Which means raised fares... The point I was trying to make is that the ferries should at LEAST be able TO KEEP UP, I'm not expecting them to be as quick, just be a bit more prompt with the crossings. It doesn't matter what comes out of your mouth, it's still an unfair comparison... What I meant is that they can't even BARELY keep to their own schedules. This level of impotence isn't tolerated with the level that it is in the ferry system. the public transit system in Vancouver for example, as bad as it can be at times at least is reliable. BC Ferries has been stereotyped for this. All sailings are NOT late, they are perfectly capable of keeping up with schedules. Did you bother to check the BC Ferries website as to why it was late? |
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Post by westcoaster on Oct 20, 2008 17:27:08 GMT -8
Hey Brokenfoot, move to Europe, the complain about BCFS.
And why should Joe Bloke living in Prince George pay for you to get your dumb ass to Saturna?
If you don't like the service, don't take it..
moron...
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Post by brokenfoot123 on Oct 20, 2008 17:49:02 GMT -8
FIVE OR SIX!? BAHA, Are you insane!? 5 or 6, that's a stupid number! Do you have any idea how much that would cost? Which means raised fares... About as much as they spent on those three new eyesores they have running to the Island. BC Ferries has been stereotyped for this. All sailings are NOT late, they are perfectly capable of keeping up with schedules. Did you bother to check the BC Ferries website as to why it was late? I can name three times within the last 3 months where they haven't met their schedule by MORE than 2 hours. And why should Joe Bloke living in Prince George pay for you to get your dumb ass to Saturna? moron... Um, who's the moron here? You seem to think that we aren't ALREADY paying for them with our taxes. WE ARE dumb ass, they are HEAVILY subsidized by the provincial government and they charge us out the wazoo in fare prices. Do a little more research into exactly where your taxes are going. |
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Post by piledriver on Oct 20, 2008 18:12:48 GMT -8
All I know is there is no way in hell am I EVER taking another ferry when it's stormy out, especially the Super Ferry... *gags*
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Post by Mike C on Oct 20, 2008 18:16:26 GMT -8
About as much as they spent on those three new eyesores they have running to the Island. Exactly. Do you want to pay even more than what you did on your so-called misadventure? I can name three times within the last 3 months where they haven't met their schedule by MORE than 2 hours. Considering, in those 3 months they've operated an average of about 16 sailings per day on some 20-odd routes, plus there's 3 routes with crossing times of over 4 hours that operate on a daily basis, that's pretty damn good. And when they are more than 2 hours late, that is no doubt an engine fault. We've just had problems with 3 individual vessels... --------------------- You seem like a very misinformed passenger... I must know, where do you get your information? Or do you make it up? |
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Post by Northern Exploration on Oct 20, 2008 18:22:35 GMT -8
Three times in three months!!  Wooo the scandal. Are you familiar with on time performance figures of airlines? Perhaps with other ferry services? Maybe those would be more interesting and factual comparisons to the ontime performance with BC Ferries. And btw just because you set out in a dingy, speedboat, zodiak or whatever, doesn't make it safe. Perhaps you were being reckless? Perhaps a BC Ferry might be more effected by a crosswind compared to a low runabout or whatever? Maybe you should register with the Coast Guard as the ultimate judge of safe weather conditions. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 20, 2008 18:33:53 GMT -8
I'll put a lock on this thread, because:
- too much name calling from member to member (read the forum rules, folks. Take the name-calling somewhere else, or else you'll lose your posting privileges here).
- too much of an appearance of collusion by new members re this new thread and it's rapid descent into name calling.
- too much of an appearance of the forum "being played" re the story of a 7:00am sailing from Tsawwassen to the Gulf Islands, that stops at Galiano & Mayne...
Lock.
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Wooo the scandal.
