Neil
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Post by Neil on Mar 12, 2007 10:32:43 GMT -8
As mentioned in a previous post, Anacortes mayor Dean Maxwell estimated the combined benefit to Anacortes and Sidney at $50 million a year. Presumably, in the real world.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Mar 12, 2007 16:52:18 GMT -8
325,000 cruise ship passengers dropped in the neighborhood of $50 million dollars in Victoria last year. Including port fees, taxes, the considerable refit work, and all other factors, Victoria gained an estimated $250 million dollars from the industry. (Source: Greater Victoria Harbour Authority) Your source? And, sorry, 'the top of your head' doesn't count.
Have you ever played tourist in downtown Victoria for a few hours? Couple of tours, couple of souvenirs, lunch... one person can drop a hundred dollars without even breaking a sweat. Your figure works out to nine dollars a head. I know not everyone actually leaves the boat, but good grief, let's get real.
I'm skeptical about some of the stuff I read as well, but I think I'll just give the Anacortes mayor the benefit of the doubt for now.
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Post by rhmark on Mar 17, 2007 18:49:13 GMT -8
Does anyone know if an operator is planning a Seattle-Vancouver port-to-port run? Thanks I think that BC Ferries could start competition with WSF. They could do a Sidney- Anacortes run. Sidney- Seattle run. or Sidney- Port Angeles. |
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Post by kylefossett on Mar 18, 2007 10:05:35 GMT -8
325,000 cruise ship passengers dropped in the neighborhood of $50 million dollars in Victoria last year. Including port fees, taxes, the considerable refit work, and all other factors, Victoria gained an estimated $250 million dollars from the industry. (Source: Greater Victoria Harbour Authority) Your source? And, sorry, 'the top of your head' doesn't count. Have you ever played tourist in downtown Victoria for a few hours? Couple of tours, couple of souvenirs, lunch... one person can drop a hundred dollars without even breaking a sweat. Your figure works out to nine dollars a head. I know not everyone actually leaves the boat, but good grief, let's get real. I'm skeptical about some of the stuff I read as well, but I think I'll just give the Anacortes mayor the benefit of the doubt for now. roughly $153 a person is quite possible. a tower of the provincial museum, the wax museum, lunch, possibly dinner, some souvenirs. it all adds up quick |
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Post by Barnacle on Mar 19, 2007 7:18:27 GMT -8
Does anyone know if an operator is planning a Seattle-Vancouver port-to-port run? Thanks Probably not too likely--they're both on the mainland and driving much much quicker. |
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Mar 20, 2007 9:07:53 GMT -8
The question made me curious, so I looked it up- the last ferry to Seattle left downtown Vancouver some time in the latter half of 1948. A Princess, of course; I guess we all missed it.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Mar 20, 2007 12:14:28 GMT -8
As more roads were built the local steamers couldn't compete. I want to travel on the Lady Rose that still runs from Port Alberni to Bamfield while it still exists. Last time I tried to take it - the weather was far too stormy and the sailing was cancelled. I drove to Tofino and Storm Watched from the Wickanninish Inn. There is also the steamer near Gold River or Tahsis that would be fun to take.
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Post by rhmark on Mar 21, 2007 19:26:54 GMT -8
To anyone's knowledge has there been a downtown Vancouver to downtown Seattle ferry service considered in the recent past (pax only or pax and vehicles)? Thanks...rhmark With the Coho's long term future in question - could it be that BC Ferries may be positioning for a Seattle run in the future? They would have to set up a secure area for customs and the new screening rules that will come into play on international runs? There isn't much room in downtown Victoria anyways. There isn't enough room in Swartz Bay for such facilities. Just speculation but this terminal would make it possible. And Hahn has left the door open for international service in the past. ...on a run that has been tried before and time and time again has proven to be a big money loser? |
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Post by rhmark on Mar 21, 2007 19:37:46 GMT -8
Why is the future of the Coho in question? Thanks...rhmark With the Coho's long term future in question - could it be that BC Ferries may be positioning for a Seattle run in the future? They would have to set up a secure area for customs and the new screening rules that will come into play on international runs? There isn't much room in downtown Victoria anyways. There isn't enough room in Swartz Bay for such facilities. Just speculation but this terminal would make it possible. And Hahn has left the door open for international service in the past. |
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Post by rhmark on Mar 21, 2007 19:39:49 GMT -8
Coho runs directly into Victoria's Inner Harbour. If Washington State Ferries don't run to Sidney in the winter then where does the Caho go? |
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Post by rhmark on Mar 21, 2007 19:41:11 GMT -8
Thanks for this. Where have you read that they plan to use this dock to develop the cruise and tour traffic? Thanks...rhmark Exactly. What do several hundred foot passengers do when they get off a ferry in Sidney? Get on the no. 70 bus? Hail taxis? Or maybe Sidney paves several dozen acres of it's waterfront for a park-n-ride? Umm... not likely. Is there anywhere in the world where a passenger ferry docks several miles from a downtown, without any major/rapid transit connection? They haven't really been 'secretive' about Sidney. They want to keep WSF as the major tenant, develop cruise and tour traffic, and possibly (they've stated) use Sidney to service the Gulf Islands somehow. A passenger service to Vancouver just doesn't seem logical. |
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Post by rhmark on Mar 21, 2007 20:37:13 GMT -8
In 2005 the WSF Anacortes / Sidney run averaged 102 cars (51 each way). So figure on 180 day season with 51 cars coming into Sidney that's 9180 cars per season. Splitting the $50,000,000 benefit equally between Anacortes and Sidney ($25,000,000 each) then it shows an economic benefit of over $2700 per car. I don't think that's realistic...rhmark ( Hornbyguy, Some how I just don't believe the $50M - which Sidney & Anacortes gain by having the route. That is one Hell of a lot of hotel rooms - and people buying petrol for there cars - plus stocking up with food - buying cups of coffee & meals..... Last year Victoria - claim that having the Cruise ship coming to Victoria - around 285 of them per year that Victoria gained around $30M from it. Well the local shop keepers and other business wanted to know how they came up with this figure. They since have adjusted it to be around $3M per year from the Cruise ships. Victoria has more of a pull than either Sidney and Anacortes put together. I know it's not your figure......but don't you just feel it is a little bit to high...because if it was so - then why is WSF having trouble with it's load figures and only runs the route part time - with a limited service??? I always question what I read in the Papers - as this figure is way out. Even $5M would seem high - based on the backtrack that Victoria had to do - with there proposal on the income earned by the Cruise Ships. |
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Post by rhmark on Mar 21, 2007 20:41:09 GMT -8
Good point, but downtown Seattle right into downtown Vancouver (harbour to harbour) is, in reality, a 3 to 3 1/2 drive (not accounting for long waits at the border). Any thoughts on how long it would take to run a ferry (car ferry running at 19 knots, pax only fast ferry at about 40 knots) harbour to harbour? rhmark... Does anyone know if an operator is planning a Seattle-Vancouver port-to-port run? Thanks Probably not too likely--they're both on the mainland and driving much much quicker. |
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Post by rhmark on Mar 21, 2007 20:43:50 GMT -8
We did a round trip on the Lady Rose last year (take a look at www.mawhinney.ca to see a few pictures). It was just a fantastic trip - she was the first diesel powered boat to cross the Atlantic on her own bottom. My grandfather, who worked for the Royal Bank, went on a company pic nick (took my aunt when she was a young child) on the Lady Rose to Ucluelet. Really neat boat and neat trip (particularly as it's the milk run, I never knew we had such remote floating (!) post offices!) rhmark As more roads were built the local steamers couldn't compete. I want to travel on the Lady Rose that still runs from Port Alberni to Bamfield while it still exists. Last time I tried to take it - the weather was far too stormy and the sailing was cancelled. I drove to Tofino and Storm Watched from the Wickanninish Inn. There is also the steamer near Gold River or Tahsis that would be fun to take. |
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Post by Northern Exploration on Mar 22, 2007 10:16:22 GMT -8
Thanks for the link. Well now for sure I have to do the trip.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,308
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Post by Neil on Apr 7, 2007 9:46:38 GMT -8
Well, the panic definitely seems to have subsided at WSF headquarters.
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Sidney- Anacortes run starts new season
Kim Westad, Times Colonist
Published: Wednesday, April 04, 2007
The Sidney-Anacortes ferry is back in business for its 2007 season, and Washington State Ferries is negotiating with the new landlord — B.C. Ferries — to continue the service in upcoming years.
The run between Sidney and Anacortes in the San Juan Islands was in jeopardy after B.C. Ferries entered a 40-year lease with the Town of Sidney to manage the Bazan Bay terminal, just south of Swartz Bay.
Washington State Ferries, which ran the terminal for close to 50 years, chose in 2003 to become a month-to-month tenant. Sidney has owned the terminal since it was transferred from the federal government in 2002. The town made $4 million in improvements, and put out a proposal call for lease agreements in 2005.
The lease B.C. Ferries signed in February is to take effect in September. In February, Washington State Ferries officials said they didn’t even know if the service would resume come spring. But yesterday, they said they’d since had two preliminary discussions with B.C. Ferries.
“We are moving forward and I’m sure we’ll get it worked out,” said Jayne Davis, north regional operations manager for Washington State Ferries. “As long as our schedule can be protected, and they’ve told us they will now and into the future, we’re fine.”
The ferry service is important for tourism in both Sidney and Anacortes, said the mayors of each municipality.
“We’re all looking forward to a great season,” said Sidney Mayor Don Amos.
Anacortes Mayor Dean Maxwell said with the number of U.S. visitors to Canada down, as they were last year, transportation links such as the ferry are crucial.
“Any mode of transportation you have that helps to make it easy for people to go to Vancouver Island is a real plus for that region, and for our region when Canadians come here,” Maxwell said.
The 124-vehicle MV Chelan runs once a day now in each direction, with another sailing to be added in June.
B.C. Ferries has made a commitment to Sidney that Washington State Ferries will remain a priority user of the terminal, and that meetings will continue with that organization, said B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall.
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Post by Barnacle on Apr 7, 2007 10:30:44 GMT -8
Ah, I see the wind has quit blowing. ;D
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Post by Coastal Canuck on Apr 7, 2007 11:01:27 GMT -8
Does anyone know if BC Ferries has a plan for the Bowen Queen over the May long weekend. If they don't they maybe they should try using the Bowen Queen from Tsawwassen to Galiano, Mayne, Pender, and then to Sidney. It probably would work. WSF is only in the dock from 10:45-11:40 so if they leave Tsawwassen at 11 arrive Galiano at 11:55 leave at 12:05, arrive at Mayne at 12:35. Leave at 12:45, arrive Pender at 1:05 leave at 1:15 and Arrive Sidney 2:15. Then on the way back do the same thing only leave at 3 from Sidney, 4:15 from Pender, 4:45 from Mayne, and leave Galiano at 5:25 and arrive at Tsawwassen at 6:20
so what do you think???
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 7, 2007 11:15:23 GMT -8
Does anyone know if BC Ferries has a plan for the Bowen Queen over the May long weekend. If they don't they maybe they should try using the Bowen Queen from Tsawwassen to Galiano, Mayne, Pender, and then to Sidney. It probably would work. WSF is only in the dock from 10:45-11:40 so if they leave Tsawwassen at 11 arrive Galiano at 11:55 leave at 12:05, arrive at Mayne at 12:35. Leave at 12:45, arrive Pender at 1:05 leave at 1:15 and Arrive Sidney 2:15. Then on the way back do the same thing only leave at 3 from Sidney, 4:15 from Pender, 4:45 from Mayne, and leave Galiano at 5:25 and arrive at Tsawwassen at 6:20 so what do you think??? I think that Harry lives. I believe that the point of your post is to brainstorm a possible BC-Ferry use for the Sidney Terminal....but Swartz is just up the road from Sidney, and that's the main problem with your suggestion. With Swartz so close by, there's no need for Sidney for such a run. But it is neat to get the map and look at the clock, and think of the possibilities. I remember Harry once proposing a route from Galiano to Gabriola. It sounded like a fun thing to think about, but it was clearly only a fantasy with no chance of reality. I asked him about Porlier Pass, Dodds Narrows, and 1st Nations land on Galiano, and I never heard back. But that was then. re your Sidney route: I presume that you're not seriously thinking that BC ferries could or would do such a route for next month? I presume that you're just brainstorming some possibilities. Here's one: Use Sidney terminal to run the Saanich and Vancouver from Sidney, through Boundary Passage, and up to Tsawwassen. Call it route 1A. On Sunday's, have the vessel call-in on the south-east side of Saturna (build a new terminal for that). I'm not making fun....I'm just playing the dream game too. Maps show endless possibilities for travel routes....but not all are practical or possible. But it can be fun to shut off the reality and dream about all those possibilities........... |
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 7, 2007 17:58:18 GMT -8
Some dream ferry routes I have thought of, Swartz Bay to HSB, TSA to Comox, Port Hardy to Skidegate. I wonder how well at PH to Skidegate direct route would do? Then you wouldent have to go through Prince Rupert. lol! We can dream. lol! Not that practical though I wouldent think!
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Post by Curtis on Apr 7, 2007 21:26:26 GMT -8
One dream route I've thought of is Lund(Powell River)-Savary-Cortes with a 40 car Kwuna-like vessel.
I've also thought about Horseshoe Bay-Swartz Bay and Gabriola-Galiano.
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Post by Scott on Apr 7, 2007 22:56:48 GMT -8
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Post by Barnacle on Apr 9, 2007 6:43:10 GMT -8
And, of course, don't forget that BCF doesn't take over the Sidney dock until September... ;D
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Post by Barnacle on Apr 9, 2007 14:58:12 GMT -8
I concur. At the very least they'd have to have some sort of traffic light at the exit/entrance to the terminal.
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Apr 9, 2007 15:59:56 GMT -8
Cascade, hate to say this but what proves your theories of BCFS using the ferry terminal? The context seems like an inevitable doom WSF faces.
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