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Post by Scott on Jun 23, 2009 19:16:46 GMT -8
There was a brief article in 24Hours today with the same information. Not sure what the source is - was it mentioned at the annual meeting?
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Post by Scott on Jun 22, 2009 23:00:05 GMT -8
Here's two more Coastal Renaissance on Christmas Day, 2008. Queen of Oak Bay, Route 2.
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Post by Scott on Jun 16, 2009 22:26:47 GMT -8
Interesting. It's almost like ferries are going extinct:) Sounds like they used to be as numerous as bridges today, but slowly, they're being replaced. I think that's one reason I like ferries... they sort of take you back in time to when things were a bit slower and simpler.
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Post by Scott on Jun 16, 2009 21:53:04 GMT -8
Once or twice a month, I do a delivery to the Home Depot in Squamish. Usually I go in the morning and today I caught the Queen of Surrey departing on my way there and again on the way back.
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Post by Scott on Jun 16, 2009 19:34:29 GMT -8
Today, coming back from Squamish, I took the Marine Drive exit from the new highway which is just the old highway that goes along the mountainside above Horseshoe Bay.
Before, this stretch of road was part of the Sea-to-Sky and was usually busy and probably had a 70 or 80km/h speed limit (at least that's how fast people were driving it). Walking along the road was a bit "dangerous" in spots and the best viewpoints required some minor rock climbing in view of all the cars going by (unwanted attention).
Now, though, it's just a "side road" with a 50km/h speed limit and very little traffic. The spots where you could climb some rocks for awesome views over Horseshoe Bay are still there and it's a bit safer to get there and you don't have to do it in front of a bunch of passing cars. Also, further to the north? as you get close to the junction with the 99, the view is clear over Howe Sound and the entrance to Horseshoe Bay.
I'm not sure if there's a place to sit and watch the ferries go by or a sidewalk, I'll have to take a closer look another day. But due to the construction on the 99 there are now some good new vantage points near Horseshoe Bay that deserve some investigation.
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Post by Scott on Jun 16, 2009 16:25:25 GMT -8
I wouldn't recommend trying to get on the absolute last two sailings, it is very dark and you wouldn't see much. A better idea is to sail just before sunset for much better pictures. The article in the 24Hours or Metro newspaper said the final sailing would be at 12:00 noon on July 31. I wouldn't base my plans on that, but it would be nice if it could be confirmed before the date for those of us considering going out there.
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Post by Scott on Jun 12, 2009 18:02:12 GMT -8
Anyone heard the BC Ferries advertisements on the radio for this Coastsavers promotion? I've heard two versions, both very annoying. One is a boss telling his employee to take a long mid-week weekend. The other is similar, except this time it's a boss/wife to her husband. Both end with the "boss" commanding the guy to "NOW, GET BACK TO WORK".
I think they could do better.
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Post by Scott on Jun 11, 2009 17:34:45 GMT -8
It's a bit of a stretch to give them credit for all these "improvements". "Soft seating", food & beverage service, work stations, "loungers", children's play areas, snack bars, all existed before 10 years ago. I think this "article" is more of an exaggerated press release - how many times do they mention "soft seating"?
Has the cafeteria improved... yeah it's nicer now... but there's still long lineups and it's still hard to find a table when it's busy.
Children's play areas have consistently become less interesting and more crowded... no improvement there. As the older ships are retired, the good playgrounds go with them.
In general, I like the improvements in seating configurations on the coastalized vessels. The "newness" of the interior makes it look nicer... the decor is better.
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Post by Scott on Jun 11, 2009 17:03:46 GMT -8
I hope Detroit wins tomorrow.
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Post by Scott on Jun 10, 2009 22:50:57 GMT -8
Oh wow, I have more education than her - so does probably a quarter of this forum! So technically, we may never work in BC Ferries management, but we do have a hope of becoming Transportation Minister!
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Post by Scott on Jun 9, 2009 18:45:09 GMT -8
I have a question about cruising. There are hundreds (thousands?) of passengers on each cruise... do they ever get crowded like Route 1 and 2 on a long weekend? Or are the ships so large that crowds aren't ever a problem? I just hate going on holidays and then standing in lineups;) So I was wondering what others have experienced - looking at Karl's Facebook photographs, it almost looks like he's the only one aboard!
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Post by Scott on Jun 6, 2009 22:43:29 GMT -8
Can't really disagree with anything mentioned here already. I suppose you could do LRT from Surrey to Tsawwassen to avoid building a bridge and to service the River Road industrial area of Delta... but I think the money for that area has been poured into the South Perimeter Road with a priority for goods movement. Translink can't even afford the projects it's got planned already. I think the bus service to Tsawwassen may improve with connections to the RAV Line. Too bad they don't run direct between Scott Road Skytrain Station and Tsawwassen anymore - I found that convenient when they did it. Now you have to transfer at Ladner Exchange.
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Post by Scott on Jun 6, 2009 22:30:17 GMT -8
I agree with you guys, it would be fun to see what happens I guess the Tachek and Nimpkish could do a shuttle between Powell River and Comox - they're both based at Blubber Bay (at least they used to be). Not sure if BC Ferries would go to the trouble... I'd consider taking a special trip just to see that!
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Post by Scott on Jun 5, 2009 21:04:45 GMT -8
The two existing SeaBus harbour ferries are over 30 years old and will soon need to be replaced or significantly upgraded. The new vessel features a larger bridge, expanded passenger capacity, along with a more efficient hull form which is expected to reduce wake and help trim operating expenses. Passenger information systems, safety features and interior aesthetics are also being improved." [/color][/i] Source: www.washingtonmarinegroup.com/docs/H&S%20-%20Shipbuilding%20Review%20&%20Forecast%20-%20Feb%202009.pdf[/quote] Emphasis Added Forgive me... how can they expand passenger capacity? The width and length of the vessel is constrained by the existing seabus ports, unless they are doing retrofitting there as well. It doesn't look any more top heavy. I suppose they COULD reduce the crew area in the middle of the vessel, but other than that or Standing Room Only (ignoring those oft ignore "please remain seated signs"), I don't see how this will be done. EDIT: Bold Alone was not enough emphasis... I was going to use Lime, saner minds prevailed[/quote] The new Seabus seems to be more blunt at either end than the old ones. Notice on the old ones, there is much more of an angle. I think they could get an extra row of facing seats at either end.
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Post by Scott on Jun 5, 2009 20:28:35 GMT -8
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Post by Scott on Jun 4, 2009 22:08:44 GMT -8
Two weeks ago I was in Jasper with an inch of snow on the ground, now it's 30+ and I need a slurpee every day;) I kinda missed spring too... that's my favorite season. However, unlike last year the strawberries should be good soon!
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Post by Scott on May 25, 2009 18:15:31 GMT -8
Haha, any photo of that to submit for next month's header??
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Post by Scott on May 23, 2009 23:46:39 GMT -8
When we talk of "island residents", we're using a pretty broad title to describe a big variety of people.
- It covers the First Nations people of Kuper Island and the Queen Charlottes, many of whom are living in poverty and none of whom "choose to live on an island". It's their ancestral land... they have every right to live there.
- It covers multi-generation residents who have been born on the islands, grown up there, and, while to a lesser extent than the First Nations, have every right to call the islands their home and not be priced out of it.
- It also includes multi-millionaires who have purchased mansions on the Pender Islands and Vancouver Island.
It's a complicated issue. Are you going to give the same discount to the mansion owner on Pender Island as you are to the unemployed Penelakut single mom on Kuper Island?
I tend to agree with Neil and the "road equivalent tariff". It at least puts the islands on a level playing field with other remote communities. It doesn't really solve the disparity between the various residents of the islands. I think maybe special consideration should be taken for the First Nations communities... as a separate issue (is there any special consideration taken currently?).
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Post by Scott on May 23, 2009 22:58:01 GMT -8
Nice article:) Even though, as a city boy, I think there's still some "island" left in Vancouver Island, you make some pretty good observations and arguments. Enjoyed reading it.. thanks for posting it here.
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Post by Scott on May 23, 2009 22:42:43 GMT -8
Awesome pictures and accounts of a memorable trip. Thanks to you guys for acting as good ambassadors of our forum.
Flugel, I'll never look at the Northern Expedition the same way again;) Looks like she's coming and going at the same time.
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Post by Scott on May 12, 2009 21:46:54 GMT -8
Congratulations to Garry Coons for winning his riding. Interesting that virtually every BC Ferry dependant riding went NDP... except for the Comox Valley and Saanich/Gulf Islands, both which are a bit too close to call still.
Also Parksville/Qualicum went Liberal, which is fairly predictable, and Oak Bay/Gordon Head looks like it's going Liberal, which is also fairly predictable.
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Post by Scott on May 10, 2009 23:04:57 GMT -8
www.theprovince.com/Waterbus+plan+proposes+transit+routes/1582032/story.htmlThe above link is to a Province article about two guys wanting to start up a "Waterbus" service out of Lonsdale to various other points in the city (including Bowen Island ... haha, good luck). Interesting that the city's "waterways" are finally getting some attention. I doubt it work out unless it's run/subsidized by the government and integrated into the region's transit system. But I do agree that the city's waterways are underutilized in terms of passenger transportation.
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Post by Scott on May 2, 2009 12:55:15 GMT -8
In honour of Brett getting his RADs working and the beginning of another season of the Discovery Coast service, I've decided to make the QUEEN OF CHILLIWACK the flagship for the month of June. Let's see how beautiful you guys can make her look! Nominations will end on May 30th at 10:00 PM PST. Voting will then begin and continue until at 11:00 PM PST May 31st. As a reminder, we will allow a spread from 840 x 200 up to 960 x 240 for the header image. Please post your entry as a reduced image to the forum with a maximum width of 800 pixels, as well as a link to the full-sized image below. For further information, please see our Forum Flagship rules.
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Post by Scott on May 1, 2009 21:19:09 GMT -8
This is really cool... can't wait to see the finished project.
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Post by Scott on Apr 28, 2009 22:36:17 GMT -8
I found it amazing that some countries are adivising their citizens not to travel to Canada because of this swine flu. People are coming off planes at YVR with face masks on - I can't believe it. I really think this is getting way too much attention, but that could be my mistaken perception. Perhaps we need the overreaction to prevent it from becoming much worse. But, come on, you have an infinitely bigger chance getting food poisoning while on holidays in Canada than the swine flu.
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