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Post by Ferryman on Mar 19, 2006 16:54:57 GMT -8
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Post by Retrovision on Mar 19, 2006 22:43:03 GMT -8
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Post by Ferryman on Mar 19, 2006 23:09:03 GMT -8
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Post by Retrovision on Mar 19, 2006 23:16:20 GMT -8
at left, you can see the load-bearing supports for the upper-vehicle terminal-deck, that have also already been built. they really thought ahead with this one... for once   |
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Post by Balfour on Mar 20, 2006 18:35:59 GMT -8
All they need is the ramps and ramp accessories.
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Post by Dane on Mar 20, 2006 19:58:47 GMT -8
Same sailing time I assume?
I think it'a a bad idea and won't happen. It's not as central as DB. This is one of those things that if it happens, the minority will likely be the victorious stake holders, as the loss of business to peripherals in Nanaimo could be devastating to a city that's just barely holding on to economic existance now.
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Post by Retrovision on Mar 20, 2006 20:43:58 GMT -8
hmm... for some reason recent plans for the Coho are springing to mind I'll predict that Duke will, atleast indefinitely, not be in the plans as Nanaimo's route 2 terminal; you only have to look as far as the ambitious plans being pushed forward at DepBay right now, including adjustments to compensate for the Super-Cs path to/from the terminal, to know route 2 is going to stay there. Duke, however, if I was the betting kind, I'd say will eventually serve Gabriola (currently rte 19). This eventuality seems inevitable for a couple reasons: Duke's proximity to Gabriola's Descanso Bay (let alone the ready-made berth at Duke) coupled with the cost savings from a shorter route, and the property value of the terminal in Downtown Nanaimo, which I'm sure will soar as Nanaimo grows (especially when considering the 2010 Olympics). |
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Doug
Voyager 
Lurking within...the car deck.
Posts: 2,213
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Post by Doug on Mar 20, 2006 20:46:18 GMT -8
I don't know if that is such a good idea. Most of the people who use the Gabriola ferry are commuters and work in Nanaimo. I don't think they want to drive an extra 20 minutes each day.
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Post by Retrovision on Mar 20, 2006 20:53:14 GMT -8
yeah, but look at the history of the concept of the ro-ro ferry in BC waters... when possible, especially when there's already a terminal, the shortest crossing will be chosen. Since Black Ball came to B.C., ferry company plans have been played out, although not on already-established routes, like this for years.
...It's kind of like if there were terminals at both Sidney (or Tsehum Harbour or Canoe Cove, for that matter) and Swartz, and Swartz bay was right near a major downtown core that would predictably raise the property taxes in the long-term...
...Well, for this example to work, commuters would be travelling to the hypothetical downtown near Swartz...
...Now lets say that a private company, like, say, BCFS, takes over operations and is more concerned about the bottom line than people's opinions (especially when those people are a "captive-audience")...
If there was a Fulford Harbour equivalent that was closer to Sidney than Swartz, well there's no way that the operator wouldn't look at using the shorter route that has a less expensive terminal (in this hypothetical example only, of course).
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Post by Ferryman on Mar 20, 2006 21:14:00 GMT -8
When the Quinsam ran out of Duke Point circa 1998, while work was being done to the Nanaimo dock, the crossing time was 10 minutes. Therefore they could easily have more crossings in a day, meaning shorter waits when its busy. But they had to set the schedule up so it wouldn't interfere with the Route 30 ferries of course. I took a trip on that the Quinsam when it was on that Route, and believe it or not, the Tsawwassen Terminal gave free passes to use the ferry while it was doing that run, to compensate for the extra bit of a drive back into town. I don't even think it takes that long to go from Duke Point into Nanaimo. It should take between 10-15 minutes, depending where you were going. In some ways, it would kind of be better if they ran all 3 routes out of Duke Point, as there is still quite a bit of room to expand there, and could have a similar format to Tsawwassen. I know that would be expensive, but wouldn't there be savings in the long run? Like in terms of the heating, power, maintenance bills, instead of having to pay for 3 different types of bills scattered over three different terminals in the City? Think about it...
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Post by Retrovision on Mar 20, 2006 23:28:08 GMT -8
In some ways, it would kind of be better if they ran all 3 routes out of Duke Point, as there is still quite a bit of room to expand there, and could have a similar format to Tsawwassen. I know that would be expensive, but wouldn't there be savings in the long run? It would be nice, but BCFS has their plate full when it comes to negative ferry-user sentiment, so I don't think that they'd be very inclined to try to turn Jack Point *Park* into a *Parking lot*; and on the other side is the mill. ( community.webshots.com/photo/424012571/1476351392055049030pLHwuO ) |
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,312
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Post by Neil on Mar 21, 2006 10:50:56 GMT -8
Three terminals for Nanaimo does seem excessive, but I can't see BC Ferries getting out of any of them in the near future. Don't count out the possibility of the terminals being used for purposes other than just ferries. Office or retail space could be built over part of the existing lots; i.e.- the Vancouver Whitecaps owner's plan to build a new downtown stadium over existing railroad tracks. It could be done, especially with Nanaimo desperate to revitalize their downtown.
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Post by Dane on Mar 21, 2006 16:47:48 GMT -8
Three terminals for Nanaimo does seem excessive, but I can't see BC Ferries getting out of any of them in the near future. Don't count out the possibility of the terminals being used for purposes other than just ferries. Office or retail space could be built over part of the existing lots; i.e.- the Vancouver Whitecaps owner's plan to build a new downtown stadium over existing railroad tracks. It could be done, especially with Nanaimo desperate to revitalize their downtown. I doubt that Rte 19 will move to Duke Point, can you image the required commuting time for Gabriola residence to go shopping? It would be okay on Vancouver terms, but on so much on Naniamo's frame of reference. The expenses are higher for sure, but then again the costs associated with the downtoan Naniamo terminal are negligable. They pay for maint, property tax, and the 1 or 2 employees that would be required anyways. (So the only major additional expense in so far as I see is property related taxes). Duke point is illsuited for the roite as aformentioned, and Departure Bay is too far and too inconvenient from an operational perspective. I would bet like grahame we'll see the current set up for years to come. |
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,312
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Post by Neil on Mar 21, 2006 17:30:37 GMT -8
Are there are lot of commuters who walk on and off the Gabriola ferry? I know at Quadra, tons of people walk on and off, and I was wondering if a lot of Gabriola residents depend on the ferry being right in town, or at least, close to transit. Then again, I don't know if BC Ferries has ever even suggested moving the downtown terminal to Duke Point.
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Post by Retrovision on Mar 21, 2006 18:22:08 GMT -8
I doubt that Rte 19 will move to Duke Point, can you image the required commuting time for Gabriola residence to go shopping? ...when possible, especially when there's already a terminal, the shortest crossing will be chosen... ...BCFS, takes over operations and is more concerned about the bottom line than people's opinions (especially when those people are a "captive-audience")... ...there's no way that the operator wouldn't (edit:) atleast look at using the shorter route that has a less expensive terminal ...coupled with the cost savings from a shorter route... After all, we are now officially dealing with a Corporation in the truest sense of the word (BCFS). I would bet like grahame we'll see the current set up for years to come. I would still agree with that statement: "we'll see the current set up for years to come." Are there are lot of commuters who walk on and off the Gabriola ferry? I know at Quadra, tons of people walk on and off, and I was wondering if a lot of Gabriola residents depend on the ferry being right in town, or at least, close to transit. Good Question; it would cost RDN negligible cost for the service that they would be providing by extending transit to Duke. It would seem obvious to some people in certain circles that there's a reason that doesn't meet-the-eye when it comes to why there isn't transit at Duke; lol, don't get me started on that one. |
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