Koastal Karl
Voyager
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Feb 5, 2014 19:10:13 GMT -8
I guess it is just the media then and annoyed people!
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Neil
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Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Feb 6, 2014 12:12:25 GMT -8
Well, surprise surprise, the whole consultation process was a sham. All the cuts are going through, and the only crumb being thrown to the peasants is a tweaking in the specific sailings to be dropped.
BC Ferries and the Liberals also apparently think the public are gullible idiots, as indicated by the announcement that summer service on the central coast is going to be 'increased'. Last summer, the 115 car Queen of Chilliwack did three sailings a week between Port Hardy and Bella Coola. This summer, the 16 car Nimpkish, with absolutely no amenities, will do three or four sailings a week from Bella Coola, but only to Bella Bella. That represents, at the very least, an 85% decrease in capacity and a huge decline in tourist value and convenience, but to the Liberal spinmeisters, the truth counts for nought.
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Neil
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Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Feb 8, 2014 22:39:58 GMT -8
In Saturday's Vancouver Sun, Stephen Hume has written the definitive article regarding the harm that the ongoing fare increases and now, the service cuts, have done to coastal communities. It is required reading for anyone who has interests in ferries beyond the fan sensibility.
The recent, umm, 'consultations' resulted in many heartfelt stories about kids not being able to make their dance classes, and other anecdotal accounts of folks having their lives impacted. Our 'family friendly' premier, Christy Clark, could not care less about such tales. The strength of Stephen Hume's essay is to lay out facts and figures detailing how the service cuts and fare increases are impacting job levels, taxation revenue, business opportunities- including tourism- and property values, and contrasting the data with non-ferry dependent communities, in a way that proves conclusively that the entire BC Ferries construct is dragging down the economy of a significant portion of this province.
Don't know if or for how long this link works, but this is the best researched and most damning account of the stupidity of the Campbell/Clark Liberal governance model for BC Ferries I've ever seen. www.vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/Stephen+Hume+Rising+ferry+fares+service+cuts+economic/9483410/story.html
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 8, 2014 23:36:58 GMT -8
In Saturday's Vancouver Sun, Stephen Hume has written the definitive article regarding the harm that the ongoing fare increases and now, the service cuts, have done to coastal communities. It is required reading for anyone who has interests in ferries beyond the fan sensibility.
The recent, umm, 'consultations' resulted in many heartfelt stories about kids not being able to make their dance classes, and other anecdotal accounts of folks having their lives impacted. Our 'family friendly' premier, Christy Clark, could not care less about such tales. The strength of Stephen Hume's essay is to lay out facts and figures detailing how the service cuts and fare increases are impacting job levels, taxation revenue, business opportunities- including tourism- and property values, and contrasting the data with non-ferry dependent communities, in a way that proves conclusively that the entire BC Ferries construct is dragging down the economy of a significant portion of this province.
Don't know if or for how long this link works, but this is the best researched and most damning account of the stupidity of the Campbell/Clark Liberal governance model for BC Ferries I've ever seen. www.vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/Stephen+Hume+Rising+ferry+fares+service+cuts+economic/9483410/story.html In the same VanSun edition their is a related piece by Vaughn Palmer. He makes it clear that the cuts are hurting constituencies that, in almost all cases, elected NDP MLA's. Premier Christie & her BC Libs appear to want to deliberately hurt communities that dared not to elect Liberals. Is it any wonder that some people in Coastal Communities believe that Vancouver Island should separate from the province of BC to become a separate province.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Feb 9, 2014 10:40:33 GMT -8
In Saturday's Vancouver Sun, Stephen Hume has written the definitive article regarding the harm that the ongoing fare increases and now, the service cuts, have done to coastal communities. It is required reading for anyone who has interests in ferries beyond the fan sensibility.
The recent, umm, 'consultations' resulted in many heartfelt stories about kids not being able to make their dance classes, and other anecdotal accounts of folks having their lives impacted. Our 'family friendly' premier, Christy Clark, could not care less about such tales. The strength of Stephen Hume's essay is to lay out facts and figures detailing how the service cuts and fare increases are impacting job levels, taxation revenue, business opportunities- including tourism- and property values, and contrasting the data with non-ferry dependent communities, in a way that proves conclusively that the entire BC Ferries construct is dragging down the economy of a significant portion of this province.
Don't know if or for how long this link works, but this is the best researched and most damning account of the stupidity of the Campbell/Clark Liberal governance model for BC Ferries I've ever seen. www.vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/Stephen+Hume+Rising+ferry+fares+service+cuts+economic/9483410/story.html In the same VanSun edition their is a related piece by Vaughn Palmer. He makes it clear that the cuts are hurting constituencies that, in almost all cases, elected NDP MLA's. Premier Christie & her BC Libs appear to want to deliberately hurt communities that dared not to elect Liberals. Is it any wonder that some people in Coastal Communities believe that Vancouver Island should separate from the province of BC to become a separate province. I suppose that there are some who think about separation, and I understand the anger that leads to the sentiment. However, the notion makes about as much sense as that silly proposal from a Powell River chap that Mr Horn posted recently, and I suspect that there are many within the Liberal party who would be quite happy to see the discussion over ferries and communities devolve into a futile sideshow about separation.
Another interesting media note, though not wholly related...
Friday's Vancouver Province saw an editorial calling for BC Ferries to build in BC. With regard to the company building overseas, the paper said, "While it may be cheaper up front, it's short term thinking by the provincial government and does nothing to support local jobs, economic growth and taxes."
I don't know what led to the paper's epiphany, since in the past they have supported building wherever it's cheapest. Maybe the editorial board has started reading this forum.
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Post by Curtis on Feb 12, 2014 16:06:50 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 13, 2014 22:04:16 GMT -8
Another impact of the Christie Clark - BC Liberal decision to kill off route 40 is that the summer Inside Passage 'Day Cruise' will now last 16 hours (as opposed to 15) on all sailings. The NorEx will make a stop at either Bella Bella or Klemtu on every trip.
This will be a very long day trip indeed with passengers having to be up in the morning at about 5 AM and not getting to their next night's hotel room until after midnight.
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mrdot
Voyager
Mr. DOT
Posts: 1,252
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Post by mrdot on Feb 14, 2014 13:29:55 GMT -8
:)well one thing for sure, cristie will not be campaigning for bc teachers or travelling down on route forty! :)mrdot.
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Post by Starsteward on Feb 15, 2014 8:50:40 GMT -8
The recent court ruling with regard to class size is but the tip of the iceberg for the 'visionless cristies'. Unless the government gets very lucky with their appeal, the B.C. taxpayer is going to be on the hook for megaa millions to square that whole mess away. Route 40 isn't the only route on which there shouldn't be much campaigning done by the current ruling party as almost all routes have been affected in some way or other by the total mismanagement of the ferry system. Teachers' legal contracts and vociferous public opinion on ferry service levels appear to be but minor 'hinderances' to the BC Liberals. .....then we wonder why so many young and not so young folks are just a wee bit cynical about politics?
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Post by Ferryman on Feb 20, 2014 0:40:18 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Feb 20, 2014 9:10:35 GMT -8
What a frustrating and unproductive time this is. Does Minister Todd Stone have any ability to answer even part of a question? Or does everything need to be a partisan put-down ?
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 20, 2014 12:23:17 GMT -8
What a frustrating and unproductive time this is. Does Minister Todd Stone have any ability to answer even part of a question? Or does everything need to be a partisan put-down ? They take their lead from their Conservative brethren in Ottawa. The situation appears to be hopeless!
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Post by compdude787 on Feb 21, 2014 13:52:46 GMT -8
What a frustrating and unproductive time this is. Does Minister Todd Stone have any ability to answer even part of a question? Or does everything need to be a partisan put-down ? They take their lead from their Conservative brethren in Ottawa. The situation appears to be hopeless! Except the BC Liberals have disguised themselves as liberals, even though they lean conservative on many issues. Most people would generally think of liberals as being progressive and left-wing, but that doesn't seem to be true of the BC "Liberal" Party. But then again, I don't think they are really conservative. They don't seem to understand that competition is good for the private sector, and having a privatized ferry system does not work if one company has a monopoly on car ferry service, like BC Ferries. I'm pretty sure that if BCF had competition, they would actually have lower fares on many of the routes. I am conservative myself, but do not think that it's a good idea to privatize a ferry system unless it has competition. And plus, the ferry system is a floating highway, and having a transportation system is one of the legitimate roles of government. The BC Liberals don't seem to understand that ferries are considered highways, too. Washington State does, and each ferry route is legally part of a state highway.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Feb 22, 2014 11:32:44 GMT -8
What a frustrating and unproductive time this is. Does Minister Todd Stone have any ability to answer even part of a question? Or does everything need to be a partisan put-down ? I agree with you on this because he just talks about fares not the tourist questions. I think the best thing that the government could do right now with BC Ferries is making BC Ferries a public company again. The next best thing is a referendum on how the ferries should work. How should be BC Ferries be operated? A) Public B) Or create competition for BC Ferries.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Feb 28, 2014 14:32:28 GMT -8
Today's Times Colonist has two front page ferry articles, one on the cancellation of route 40, the other on the cable and intermediate ferry issues.
The first article points to the backlash from tourist oriented businesses who are already getting strong indications that their livelihoods will be severely impacted without the route from Port Hardy. They point to the complete inadequacy of the replacement service by the Nimpkish.
Transport Minister Todd Stone's reaction would be hilarious if it wasn't so insulting. Referring to the Nimpkish, he states:
"BC Ferries is going to ensure that there are comfortable seats, that there's a comfortable heated interior, that there's potable water, that there's food and refreshments available."
Man, we sure know how to pamper those European tourists. Seats! Heat! Water you can drink! I wonder where they're going to put the 'food and refreshments'. Throw the crew out of their quarters in the other tiny lounge?
I can't wait to read the travel reviews, but I'm not looking forward to the inevitable reports on how provincial ferry policy is causing yet another part of the coastal economy to shrink.
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Post by Starsteward on Mar 1, 2014 11:31:11 GMT -8
What a disgraceful statement made byTransportation Minister Todd Stone with his references to the 'amenities' onboard the Nimpkish! How this guy could be appointed a "Transport" Minister boggles my mind. So much for building the economy of British Columbia Ms. Premier. Some of the appointments she has made since being re-elected clearly indicates that either the "bench" is very bereft of talent or, just perhaps, Mr. Stone is being cast as the fall guy for policies that will undoubtedly come back to haunt the current administration. Yes, I can't wait to get hold of a future Conde Naste magazine edition and read about the wonderful B.C. coastal travel experiences that await visitors from places around the world that really do know something about marine transportation in its many forms. How embarassing eh?
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Mar 1, 2014 14:29:35 GMT -8
I think the lounges on the Nimpkish will be extended aft, effectively eliminating the sun deck, to have a small concession stand. I guess it's an upgrade to the current Nimpkish...
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Post by Mike C on Mar 1, 2014 16:52:11 GMT -8
I think the lounges on the Nimpkish will be extended aft, effectively eliminating the sun deck, to have a small concession stand. I guess it's an upgrade to the current Nimpkish... I am really looking forward to my glass of potable water!
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Mar 1, 2014 18:25:33 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Mar 1, 2014 20:20:26 GMT -8
I was almost wondering if Mr Leyne had been reading this forum, until I realized that the time frame wasn't quite right, given the Times Colonist's probable deadlines for columnists.
Leyne is normally something of a poodle for the Liberals, but in this case, he got it mostly right. He states, though, that the 'previous vessel' made only one run a week, when in fact the 'Chilliwack did three round trips... and all of those from Port Hardy, not Bella Bella, as the Nimpkish will be doing. He also claims that the Nimpkish can carry four RVs. If so, they'd better be little ones, and not the thirty footers that many tourists like to rent.
The year is young, but Todd Stone's nonsense already stands out for nominations in the 2014 political blather Oscars. He's impressed no one.
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Post by WettCoast on Mar 1, 2014 22:25:07 GMT -8
The year is young, but Todd Stone's nonsense already stands out for nominations in the 2014 political blather Oscars. He's impressed no one.
Yes, he is gifted in the art of blather (aka verbal diarrhea) , but he still has a ways to go to catch up to his predecessor as Minister of Transport, Kevin 'Cadillac' Falcon.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Mar 1, 2014 22:46:50 GMT -8
The year is young, but Todd Stone's nonsense already stands out for nominations in the 2014 political blather Oscars. He's impressed no one.
Yes, he is gifted in the art of blather (aka verbal diarrhea) , but he still has a ways to go to catch up to his predecessor as Minister of Transport, Kevin 'Cadillac' Falcon. True. Falcon was much more influential within the Liberal government, and much more 'clever', in the worse sense of the word.
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Post by gordon on Mar 5, 2014 13:42:04 GMT -8
Stephen Hume has a another good column about the Ferry cuts he says the the northern service cuts will have ramifications throughout the tourism sector. Did the government not suggest to BC. ferries, that cuts this deep could cause these problems
On Saturday he said Route #30 is a big money loser as opposed the B.C. Ferries saying that it a very profitable route.Which is correct?
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,192
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Post by Neil on Mar 5, 2014 14:05:03 GMT -8
Stephen Hume has a another good column about the Ferry cuts he says the the northern service cuts will have ramifications throughout the tourism sector. Did the government not suggest to BC. ferries, that cuts this deep could cause these problems On Saturday he said Route #30 is a big money loser as opposed the B.C. Ferries saying that it a very profitable route.Which is correct? Once again, Mr Hume- as well as local governments and private groups, is doing the research that the Clark Liberals were negligent in not doing. Even if this latest study from the city of Prince Rupert is inflating the economic fallout from the fare increases and cutbacks, it's clear that the province as a whole will lose far more money than it will 'save' in the ongoing assault on ferry services.
I'm not aware that BC Ferries has ever claimed that route 30 makes money... I don't know where you get that from.
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Post by gordon on Mar 5, 2014 15:24:31 GMT -8
there are suposed to be 3 routes that made money I just assumed that #30 was one of the 3 Stephen Hume also sways this route is cited as one of the 3 'money spinners although the route lost $180 million in 2012 & 13
would a smaller vessel allow Haida Gwaii to be a daily route in the Summer and maybe be used on the Winter service for both routes?
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