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Post by mybidness459 on Aug 19, 2017 12:20:03 GMT -8
So the Spirit of VI and CR will Deadhead Back to the Island with no passengers? Whats the point with this No Passenger thing? BC Ferries still has to pay the Crew regardless you will think they would want to make a buck or two with those sailings.
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Post by futureferrydriver on Aug 19, 2017 16:30:48 GMT -8
So the Spirit of VI and CR will Deadhead Back to the Island with no passengers? Whats the point with this No Passenger thing? BC Ferries still has to pay the Crew regardless you will think they would want to make a buck or two with those sailings. Extra half hour (at least) they'd have to pay everyone on the ship to have a revenue sailing vs deadhead. Much quicker to unload all the cars and go straight back. Also, it takes extra terminal staff to load a vessel vs unload. There are usually enough people on the graveyard shift to unload a boat but it takes more terminal attendants to load it. Also they would need to keep ticketing staff longer and a tower controller for the late sailing. And all of these extra terminal staff would be on OT. |
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Post by hwy19man on Aug 19, 2017 16:55:59 GMT -8
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Post by Starsteward on Aug 20, 2017 9:25:16 GMT -8
BC Ferries increase in traffic levels and ultimately an increased 'bottom line', I would argue is not due to some of the reasons they profess, ie. keeping rates stable etc. The increase in traffic has its causes quite outside the realm of BCFS management policies. I wonder how many times a 'fly on the wall' within the halls of Head Office, might hear some reference to: "thank goodness we've got those Salish class vessels in place in the nick of time". Yes, especially since the 'Burnaby' and the 'Nanny' fell off the operational charts very quickly. BCFS still has overload problems, as mentioned elsewhere on this thread, with no immediate resources available with which to take advantage of the current good fortunes of increased traffic. Too bad. If BCFS's pants are down around their ankles, they're only somewhere above their knees and below their waists.  |
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Post by hwy19man on Sept 19, 2017 3:33:38 GMT -8
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Post by mybidness459 on Sept 19, 2017 14:52:43 GMT -8
I have been a thinking, where did BC Ferries get all of the money for the changes? It's kind of suspicious that just a year or so ago they were doing major cutbacks due to money. We now will have a extended service hours on rt 2 especially with the Surrey. The sailings that were cancelled on rt 2 are now reinstated.
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Post by Dane on Sept 19, 2017 15:49:23 GMT -8
I strongly believe it's a combination of the crazy traffic volumes this year (with associated direct and indirect revenues) and a slightly higher "subsidy" amount from the Province.
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 19, 2017 17:40:15 GMT -8
I strongly believe it's a combination of the crazy traffic volumes this year (with associated direct and indirect revenues) and a slightly higher "subsidy" amount from the Province. Maybe by making some real 'pro customer' improvements BC Ferry Services Inc will improve their 'image' with the new government? |
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Sept 20, 2017 21:27:29 GMT -8
I strongly believe it's a combination of the crazy traffic volumes this year (with associated direct and indirect revenues) and a slightly higher "subsidy" amount from the Province. Maybe by making some real 'pro customer' improvements BC Ferry Services Inc will improve their 'image' with the new government? BC Ferries will have to open up Horseshoe Bay ten minutes earlier, with a 5:50a.m. departure for Snug Cove. They're also extending the service day for route three by seventy minutes, with a 10:55 sailing from Horseshoe Bay even in winter, and I wonder what that means for crewing costs. There's obviously a mistake in the posted schedule, with a 5:25 departure from Langdale and a 5:30 departure from Horseshoe Bay. Route Two is back to eight sailings a day in winter, seven days a week. This represents a significant cost outlay, and I suppose it's supported by the uptick in traffic in recent years. Maybe Hornby Islanders can hope for a return to the old schedule year round, as our figures have also increased. Reality finally settles in at BC Ferries. Transit needs for coastal communities can't be avoided when demand regularly exceeds supply. |
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Post by Scott on Sept 20, 2017 23:13:49 GMT -8
Maybe by making some real 'pro customer' improvements BC Ferry Services Inc will improve their 'image' with the new government? There's obviously a mistake in the posted schedule, with a 5:25 departure from Langdale and a 5:30 departure from Horseshoe Bay. No, it's not a mistake. The 1725 (LNG > HSB) is the Surrey. The 1730 (HSB > LNG) is the Cowichan. The Surrey will sail a round trip on Route 2 (1835 from HSB, 2045 from DPB). Upon arrival back at Horseshoe Bay, she'll sail the 2255 back to Langdale. The Cowichan will sail two round trips on Route 3 (1730 & 1950 from HSB, 1840 & 2055 from LNG). Upon arrival back at Horseshoe Bay, she'll sail the 2210 back to Departure Bay. |
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 21, 2017 5:29:14 GMT -8
The upswing in ferry/passenger traffic has translated into an improved 'bottom line' for BC Ferries thus making an increase in service/sailings possible.
Of course, BCFS will spin the service increase as their positive response to public consultation etc. So all is well...for now.
Looking forward, with the retirement of the 'Burnaby' and the 'Nanny' and the 'SOBC' away at refit, I'm sure BCFS has their fingers crossed that there is no
lengthy delays in getting the 'SOBC' back home in time for the summer season. If traffic levels continue to increase, and with BCFS having a fleet with no spare vessels kicking around should the current fleet suffer any lengthy breakdowns or whatever that may create lengthy wait times on any of the southern routes, the new-found good will the company is enjoying will quickly disappear.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Nov 2, 2017 11:28:29 GMT -8
No ferry operations related, but here's an interesting report on BCFMWU union operations, and a problem with the Union's trustees: HEREIt's probably more relevant to union internal poltics in general, then to ferries, but someone else might find it interesting. |
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Post by Ferryman on Jan 25, 2018 8:43:49 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jan 25, 2018 12:20:13 GMT -8
Ask, and you shall receive. Bravo to whomever made the video. Brandon Siska is the name. You can find him on Instagram as YYJSpotting |
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Post by Curtis on Jan 26, 2018 23:31:55 GMT -8
BC Ferries is considering a study on the feasibility of a commuter ferry route between Colwood and Ogden Point. Chek NewsCertainly interesting that BC Ferries is getting in on ideas to ease traffic congestion in the Capital Region. Looks like they're considering a passenger-only service, but I could see a little potential in running a car and vehicle service. Maybe a Minor 44 style ship with a higher passenger capacity? I can dream. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Jan 27, 2018 0:07:41 GMT -8
BC Ferries is considering a study on the feasibility of a commuter ferry route between Colwood and Ogden Point. Chek NewsCertainly interesting that BC Ferries is getting in on ideas to ease traffic congestion in the Capital Region. Looks like they're considering a passenger-only service, but I could see a little potential in running a car and vehicle service. Maybe a Minor 44 style ship with a higher passenger capacity? I can dream. I don’t think that ferry route will help people in Colwood because it just goes across Odgen Point and not Downton which will just cause more pedestrian traffic in Ogden Point. I think the best way to help Colwood and Capital Region for long term is light rail transit with exclusive right way because it could expand into more areas and the trains could be lengthened if they needed too. |
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Post by Brandon S on Jan 28, 2018 20:17:47 GMT -8
Ask, and you shall receive. Bravo to whomever made the video. Brandon Siska is the name. You can find him on Instagram as YYJSpotting Haha Thats Me! I Had Enough Of Hearing That "Flatulent Bagpiper Murdering A Duck"  And Decided To Do Something About It! |
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Post by vancouverecho on Jan 29, 2018 20:33:01 GMT -8
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Jan 29, 2018 21:17:20 GMT -8
Fascinating article, but I'm not sure the BC Ferries service model will change as much as suggested. When I think of the bulk of summer traffic that clogs the Hornby and Denman ferries, it's virtually all vacationers with a fair bit of luggage, and often bikes and recreational stuff crammed in and on SUVs and pickups. Those people will never be walking onto ferries. If BC Ferries largely served commuters, I could see the possibility of self driving vehicles at either end for those who didn't use transit, but I don't think that's the case. I'm not even sure that increased transit is feasible in all cases, which would increase the number of foot passengers. Would transit service to Duke Point or Saltery Bay/Earls Cove, for instance, ever serve any purpose? I think there are many examples where the conventional car ferry model, with ever increasing demand, will be the reality. Still, it's good to see BC Ferries thinking outside the established patterns to anticipate opportunities to deliver service in a way that dinosaurs like me maybe don't have the foresight to envision. |
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Post by Departure Bay on Feb 19, 2018 16:11:07 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 18, 2018 16:23:22 GMT -8
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Apr 18, 2018 17:12:19 GMT -8
Given those annoying safety messages that you get even aboard the cable ferry, which talk of BC Ferries being internationally recognized as a leader in marine safety, I would think that this is a story they definitely would rather that the public didn't hear about. |
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dave2
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Deckhand!: Todo: Introduction post (I was born less than 100 feet from the ocean. The tide was...)
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Post by dave2 on May 1, 2018 14:31:56 GMT -8
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Post by Scott on May 22, 2018 20:22:59 GMT -8
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John H
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Post by John H on May 23, 2018 20:10:00 GMT -8
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