Foot passenger ban on the MCD?

[Scott (Former Account)]

While boarding the Queen of New Westminster's 6:00 PM sailing via the MCD (main car deck) at Swartz Bay today, we were abruptly stopped on the ramp and told that foot passengers are not allowed to board via the MCD. Apparently the only option is the overhead walkway, even though the signs say otherwise.

Sign outside the gate at Berth 1, Swartz Bay. (Apologies for the blurry picture)


I have not read or heard anything about this rule. But if it is true, why has BC Ferries not mentioned anything publicly to let us know when it started, where it applies and why the signs still directing foot passengers aboard have not been taken down?

Has anyone else heard of this yet?

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Now that I am thinking about it, a few more questions come to mind...

What caused the change?

Does this apply to all the major routes? If so, how does this apply to Route 3 (Horseshoe Bay - Langdale) on the Langdale side?

[Ferryman]

That's odd.....Perhaps is another one of those "Route 1 things", where everything is done differently than any other route. However I can see them being grumpy with walk-ons via the car deck because it could hold up the loading of the vehicles if there's a large enough crowd. So that might be a Captains ruling.

When I'm commuting on Route 2 twice a week, I usually board via the car deck to avoid the skywalk crowds, especailly lately since there isn't very good ventalation in the boarding ramps. But I've never been hassled about boarding via the car deck before, even as recent as one week ago.

[Curtis]

Now that you mention it...The first time I was on the I-Sky at Earls Cove I made my way down toward main car deck and was on the gallery deck while unloading. (I was attempting to record my video tour at the time) From what I could see, I was completely out of the way, but was told to go back up to Deck 4 to wait. Apparently foot passengers aren't allowed on the car deck while unloading either. I can see why, but than again I don't see why. I was out of the way and doing nothing that obstructed traffic. Wouldn't a nice "Excuse me sir, would you stay right there until we're finished unloading" work just fine?

[ferryfanyvr]

I have seen foot passengers being told to not to board via the car deck at Departure Bay on several occasions, usually on very busy sailings. It's mainly just to speed up loading on all levels, since "regular" footsies boarding down below along with all the dog- and bike- people delays the loading of vehicles...it's just a matter of efficiency. More often than not, the terminal attendants don't even say anything to the foot passengers. What usually happens is that after the main car deck finishes unloading vehicle traffic form the incoming sailing, they start loading the vehicle traffic right away without opening the foot passenger gate. People then realize they won't get on until the vehicles are done so they just proceed to the "skywalk". It's unfortunate because then the passengers who are meant to board on the lower level are delayed.

No offense to any of you here who prefer boarding on the car deck instead of the overhead, I know there are many of you......I, personally, am a dedicated overhead walkway user and don't like seeing people not using the walkways when they are supposed to. I know you have valid reasons...I think the reason I feel the way I do is because I remember when there were no overhead walkways at either DB or HSB and I thought route 2 passengers were kind of ripped off since route 1 passengers had this amenity available to them. When the foot passenger ramps were constructed at DB in the early 1980's, I promised myself I would never again board on the car deck if I didn't have to.

[rt1commuter]

I dearly hope this isn't a regular thing! Boarding via the car deck is a great way to avoid lineups in the cafeteria! On the other hand, I almost always have my bike with me, so I guess it's really not that big a deal.

[Mill Bay]

I've boarded via the main cardeck on every major route on various occasions (except 3) and under varying circumstances. On route 1 I always used to do this simply as a matter of personal taste when the V's were still running because I liked to experience the wonderful rumble of the engines and humming of generators that always reminded me of what made the ferries feel so alive for me when I was a kid.

I have boarded on Route 2 once or twice by the main cardeck, usually if I happened to be relatively late and/or close to the foot passenger cut off and the skywalk was already raised. The same thing happened on route 30 once as well, where I was the absolute last passenger on board and the terminal actually radioed to the deck officers doing the loading to see if they could take one more foot passenger on the main cardeck.

I have never been turned back, but I always hand out with the people walking on board with dogs and bikes so I guess I may sort of blend in and look like I need to be boarding on the cardeck. I also don't know if it really interferes with the loading, because in every case, I have been well clear of the loading areas long before any traffic starts coming on board. I don't think it's a ban, but it may just be a specific bylaw enforced among certain crews who like to count the seconds when it comes to loading and unloading.

[Nick]

So, apparently the reasoning is the sheer volume of people attempting to board via the MCD to beat the crowds. It is interfering with prompt loading of the ship, especially during busy times.

Apparently this is only affecting route 1 right now. The terminal and deck staff have been pushing for this for a while now.

[Scott (Former Account)]

I could definitely understand when there is a large group walking on the MCD. But yesterday, I was one of four foot passengers who were trying to board down there.

[Mike C]

Alright, since I'm both a cyclist and a frequent walk-on, hear me out on this on...

No offence meant for you people who board via the MCD, but I'm not a fan of those who try and mix with the crowd of cyclists, this especially applies to routes 1 and 9. I have never boarded by way of the vehicle deck at any skywalk equipped terminal EVER, except when hanging out with you guys... but it's interesting they tried to put a cap on it. To be totally honest, I don't blame them a bit, it does interfere with loading procedures, especially on Route 1.

I'm not going to lie, the skywalk is a pain. A pain in the sense that involves a lot of standing around, shuffling forward, standing around, shuffling forward, oh, Joe Schmuck forgot his boarding pass, everyone comes to a halt.... etc. Routes 1 and 2 are huge for this. But bear in mind, they are also huge in vehicle traffic, as well as cyclists and foot passengers with pets.

So if you're a footie, and you board via the MCD... that's fine, just don't expect to sail on time.