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Post by compdude787 on Mar 26, 2014 19:52:40 GMT -8
If private enterprise is the goal in mind here, wouldn't it make more sense to allow Seaspan to take over operation of this commercial connection, at least in the off season? The inherent problem, of course, is providing such a private enterprise with the opportunity to run a monopoly for eight months of the year - perhaps negotiation of fares or subsidization with the province is the right way to go. I think that's a great idea, actually. Give BC Ferries some actual competition! Seaspan is more oriented towards freight anyway. This couldn't happen right away since I have a feeling that they are going to need more of their own ferries if they take over Rte. 30 in the offseason, so they'd need 3-4 years to build ferries. I'm not sure if they could just use BC Ferries' boats--I don't know, I wouldn't see that happening.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Mar 26, 2014 22:10:46 GMT -8
Why on earth would anyone want to hand over operation of route 30 to Seaspan for part of the year, and through what process would such a thing be accomplished? It's an odd notion.
Lets keep in mind that the alternative service provider project is stone dead- even BC Ferries has admitted it. Over the years, not one viable proposal came to fruition to turn any route over to the private sector, and I'm not aware that Seaspan ever expressed an interest in route 30. Keep in mind too that 80% of the people sailing on any given departure on route 30 are not commercial. Seaspan is not licensed to carry passengers, and over the years, they only once, and briefly, expressed any interest in doing so.
The idea of 'competition' for BC Ferries is a fantasy, outside of a portion of cross-strait commercial traffic. We learned that lesson sixty years ago, and there's no need to learn it again.
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Post by Mike C on Mar 27, 2014 6:39:34 GMT -8
Why on earth would anyone want to hand over operation of route 30 to Seaspan for part of the year, and through what process would such a thing be accomplished? It's an odd notion.
Lets keep in mind that the alternative service provider project is stone dead- even BC Ferries has admitted it. Over the years, not one viable proposal came to fruition to turn any route over to the private sector, and I'm not aware that Seaspan ever expressed an interest in route 30. Keep in mind too that 80% of the people sailing on any given departure on route 30 are not commercial. Seaspan is not licensed to carry passengers, and over the years, they only once, and briefly, expressed any interest in doing so.
The idea of 'competition' for BC Ferries is a fantasy, outside of a portion of cross-strait commercial traffic. We learned that lesson sixty years ago, and there's no need to learn it again. Apparently my fingers operated independently of my brain in my explanation. What I'm suggesting is Seaspan uses their own facilities, their own infrastructure, and their own vessels to service the displaced commercial demand while Route 30 is not operating (I guess 'taking over' was a poor way of putting it). BC Ferries / the Province would subsidize any additional sailings that would be required, and fares subsidized to an extent. Given their terminal location in Tilbury, it seems to make sense as a substitute for Tsawwassen. Additionally, Departure Bay is not a good place for handling commercial traffic. I see this as a win/win for BCF and Seaspan. I am not suggesting competition - the failure of such a model is what granted us a government operated ferry network in the first place.
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Post by Curtis on Mar 31, 2014 11:59:12 GMT -8
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Mar 31, 2014 16:53:19 GMT -8
The northern schedules remind me of the gulf island schedules now!
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Post by WettCoast on Mar 31, 2014 18:13:44 GMT -8
With regard to the schedule & fare 'improvements' on the northern runs I note now that the Inside Passage summer day cruise service has been cut back by a full month (starts June 9th rather than May 18th & ends just after Labour Day rather than the end of September). On the other hand, full summer fares kick in on May 1st, and end September 30th. Furthermore all summer 'day cruise' sailings now last until almost midnight. You are requested to be at the terminal at 5:30 in the morning and you won't get off the ship until a few minutes before midnight. The downward spiral continues...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 18:45:55 GMT -8
"After six weeks of community consultation,feedback, and further analysis .... blah, blah, blah! ....we've decided the only way to save money is by cutting off one of your feet and one hand. Of course we'll let you decide which one ... and thank you for your input" I wonder if the people that write the BC Ferries press releases actually read the garbage that they spew out.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Mar 31, 2014 21:27:18 GMT -8
Another lie from Todd Stone, as borne out by the schedules released today; the Transport minister had earlier said that route 40's demise was going to be made up for, slightly, by having the Nimpkish do an 'extra' run. He never said 'extra' to what. The schedule shows that for July, there are ten departures from Bella Coola, and twelve for August. Last summer, there were three departures a week from Bella Coola, for a total of twelve or thirteen a month. So there are in fact no 'extra' runs being made by the tiny, inadequate Nimpkish. I wonder how much of a hit Klemtu's economy will take, with the elimination of the 'Chilliwack's four hour layover there.
On a more positive note, some evening service has been restored on Fridays for Hornby, and Texada is not going to be quite as hard hit in terms of over all service hours. One of the three evening runs to Hornby on Fridays has been eliminated, ten months a year, but a 10pm sailing from Denman has been scheduled, as opposed to the current 10;35 sailing... so that's something of a reprieve. Texada sees a big cut in service on weekends, but the limited service has been stretched somewhat past the previously threatened service day.
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 1, 2014 7:44:46 GMT -8
With regard to the schedule & fare 'improvements' on the northern runs I note now that the Inside Passage summer day cruise service has been cut back by a full month (starts June 9th rather than May 18th & ends just after Labour Day rather than the end of September). On the other hand, full summer fares kick in on May 1st, and end September 30th. Furthermore all summer 'day cruise' sailings now last until almost midnight. You are requested to be at the terminal at 5:30 in the morning and you won't get off the ship until a few minutes before midnight. The downward spiral continues... How sad a day is this for British Columbia? The Honourable W.A.C. must be rollin' in his grave. May his 'Spirit' rise up and haunt those that have little or no understanding of what makes up the "guts" of a Maritime Province and who have created such negative policies that effect the daily lives of its citizens, their communities and their economic well-being. I post this comment with the heaviest of hearts, and dare not fully express the full extent of my disdain for these new policies less I get myself banned from this wonderful site. I truly hope that our fellow British Columbians who work for this corporation are spared any and all harm that may come their way from disgruntled Ferry users as the employees soldier on within their various workplaces. Please remember, it is not the employees who made these policies, it is, unfortunately they who will feel the wrath of those they serve. Be kind
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Apr 1, 2014 9:42:41 GMT -8
Not a ferry story, but it seems appropriate to put it here for contrast. Transit clearly is the fair haired child of our transportation family, compared to that ill mannered, greedy little urchin, the ferry system. Translink holds public consultation exercises, and when a few residents ask for certain expansions in service, they get it... even service in non peak times, when buses are rolling around mostly empty. I don't understand the different mindset. Utterly baffling.
www.nsnews.com/news/more-frequent-bus-service-coming-to-west-vancouver-1.935611
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mrdot
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Mr. DOT
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Post by mrdot on Apr 1, 2014 11:00:04 GMT -8
:)a cruel 'april fools joke' no it's a reality, my recently aquired seniors ferry perk has been clawed back, just as many other retirement items, and then I get calls from the Delta hospital, Richmond hospital, Knowledge network, my alma matter Uvic, and others suggesting a crack at my will! these 'golden years' aren't so golden! 8-|mrdot.
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Post by gordon on Apr 1, 2014 13:27:41 GMT -8
Translink receives most of it's funding from local taxpayers( inc 17cents|l gas tax) I think Wet Van runs their own transit system & contracts it ti TRansink.
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Post by Mike C on Apr 1, 2014 15:13:19 GMT -8
Not a ferry story, but it seems appropriate to put it here for contrast. Transit clearly is the fair haired child of our transportation family, compared to that ill mannered, greedy little urchin, the ferry system. Translink holds public consultation exercises, and when a few residents ask for certain expansions in service, they get it... even service in non peak times, when buses are rolling around mostly empty. I don't understand the different mindset. Utterly baffling.
www.nsnews.com/news/more-frequent-bus-service-coming-to-west-vancouver-1.935611 TransLink is pretty transparent when it comes to consultations, which is something I have appreciated. They don't beat around the bush. After consultation for service optimization was finished, they published the feedback they received into a summary report, which can be viewed here: www.translink.ca/~/media/documents/plans_and_projects/managing_the_transit_network/service_optimization/2013_service_optimization_public_consultation_summary.ashxIt would be nice if BCFS published this type of summary, and whether or not they actually followed through with it (I guess we all know the answer, but still).
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 1, 2014 16:44:18 GMT -8
:)a cruel 'april fools joke' no it's a reality, my recently aquired seniors ferry perk has been clawed back, just as many other retirement items, and then I get calls from the Delta hospital, Richmond hospital, Knowledge network, my alma matter Uvic, and others suggesting a crack at my will! these 'golden years' aren't so golden! 8-|mrdot. Amen, mrdot, thought for a moment you'd been peeking in my mail lately I fear our lifeboat may encounter a few more 'passengers' as time progresses.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 12, 2014 15:01:03 GMT -8
Here's a Sandspit response to the Kwuna schedule cuts: from H E R E
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 12, 2014 16:05:17 GMT -8
This is probably exactly what the BC Govt wants, and that is to dump the cost of providing reasonable coastal ferry services onto local tax payers.
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Post by Mike C on Apr 12, 2014 18:15:34 GMT -8
This is probably exactly what the BC Govt wants, and that is to dump the cost of providing reasonable coastal ferry services onto local tax payers. In effect, that's what this could ultimately turn out to be; a downloading of costs on to municipal and regional governments who are already feeling the strain from other expenditures that have been passed on to them. Local governments would be forced to act, or see their communities damaged. As the impacts begin to sink in, I suspect we will see more examples of communities taking matters in to their own hands, as we have seen with the Capital RD and in the Haida Gwaii.
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 13, 2014 8:10:42 GMT -8
I thought of this before why cant they just run the Queen of Chilliwack from Bella Coola to Bella Bella??? Still as the Discovery Coast Connector schedule without going to Port Hardy? Be a much more comfortable trip than the Nimpkish. I would even do it if was the Chilliwack.
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Post by Mike C on May 15, 2014 11:03:41 GMT -8
I'm sure that political polling in BC doesn't mean that much to you anymore. But for what it's worth, Insights West, a local polling agency, took in the opinions of British Columbians on how they feel about how the provincial government has managed themselves. Not surprisingly, the Clarke administration scores fairly low, but there is an interesting number that I didn't expect to see in there. One of the questions concerned how British Columbians feel about the management of BC Ferries. Of those questioned, 72% feel that BC Ferries has been poorly managed, and just 15% feel that the province has done a good job. Now it would be nice to see some geographic distribution of those numbers, but I take this as an indication that it's not just coastal communities that are frustrated by the province's mishandling of the marine transportation system. 15% definitely does not comprise the entire mainland. I think this disproves a common misconception that only those who rely on the ferry system want privatization. You can view the story and numbers here: www.vancouversun.com/business/government+report+card/9839620/story.html
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Post by WettCoast on May 15, 2014 11:43:38 GMT -8
Another news item that I think best fits in this thread... www.thenorthernview.com/news/259124361.htmlThis is caused to a large degree by the cutting of round trip sailings per week from three to two, just as the tourist season gets underway. The governing BC Liberals should be wearing this one. Please also see the 'reader comments' which follow the article on the link to the source at the Northern View's website.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on May 15, 2014 17:51:33 GMT -8
Here is my opinion of why Coastal Communities are loosing money because the lack of good transportation from ferries, and the two Transportation Authorities in BC. So, if the government wants to help the economy, even more, it should make BC Ferries a crown corporation and give a lot more funding to public transit. To summarize, we need to make transportation great for businesses who want invest in the province.
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Post by Mike on May 15, 2014 19:12:19 GMT -8
Here is my opinion of why Coastal Communities are loosing money because the lack of good transportation from ferries, and the two Transportation Authorities in BC. Loose
1. Not fastened, restrained, or contained: loose bricks. 2. Not taut, fixed, or rigid: a loose anchor line; a loose chair leg. Lose1. To be unsuccessful in retaining possession of; mislay: He's always losing his car keys. 2. To be deprived of (something one has had): lost her art collection in the fire; lost her job.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on May 16, 2014 21:26:05 GMT -8
BC Ferries is currently running a service notice for route seventeen, which says in part:
BC Ferries is pleased to offer an additional round trip sailing to accommodate traffic travelling to and from the PRISMA Matinee Symphony Cruise Concert event in Powell River on Saturday June 21st.
But that's a bit of a fib, because, as this article......
www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/ferry-service-cuts-threaten-future-of-powell-river-music-event/article18653284/
...points out, BC Ferries had to be convinced about reinstating this one sailing, and they made very clear that it was just for this year. So they're not really "pleased" to be providing an essential service for a community they serve.
What really blew my mind was this comment from Ferries spokesman Darin Guenette, referring to the 'consultation' process that was held in ferry dependent communities a few months back: “It was really an exercise in trying to make the most sense of a schedule on a yearly basis, so if there were specific events they just wouldn’t have been on the radar,”
Really, Darin? With all the specific and anecdotal input you people got from the lengthy meetings in town halls, and all the letters and emails from individuals and organizations, "specific events wouldn't have been on the radar" when you people formulated your new schedules?
There are yearly events in ferry dependent communities that are vital shots in the arm for small, local economies. And I daresay that BC Ferries heard about all of them, including this musical event in Powell River. So don't give us this specious nonsense now about how you're 'pleased' to alter your schedule for one day, when you could have saved people the anxiety about their event's success being compromised, by listening when you were supposed to, in the, ahem, 'consultation' process.
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Post by hwy19man on May 17, 2014 11:47:27 GMT -8
Guenette and the consultation process have proven that they seriously missed the boat with ferry communites and users.
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Post by hwy19man on May 17, 2014 11:59:56 GMT -8
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