Galiano Trip

[Low Light Mike]

I visited Montague Harbour in summer 2002. There is just an old wharf, and you can see where the dock used to be. Not much to look at, even for a ferry-nerd.

[Koastal Karl]

Well if everyone wanted to walk then we wouldent need cars! But I doubt you could walk to Bluffs Park as that is a long ways from Sturdies Bay! And I dont think we want to go if it's raining too! That's if you wanted to go to Bluffs Park which we dont have to. Wouldent be much fun doing the trip if it was raining! If you guys wanted to walk on then that would be fine, I might end up taking the Nanny back to Tsawwassen if you guys walked on then head back from there to Swartz Bay as I would just walk on too!

[Retrovision]

Well not taking any vehicle certainly would cut down on our costs, and I can always do Bluffs Park another time... But then again, if there was another person who wanted to get to bluffs, we could always split from the group (car or not, I'm quite willing to hike). Just a thought.

If any of you are wondering why I'd like to get to Bluffs Park, just take a look at this shot of Active Pass taken from the park:

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community.webshots.com/photo/158739480/1158743889057096139GRNxcG

ferryman said:

...with the ride on of those 20 year old diesel buses from Ladner to Tsawwasssen".

Actually TC now mandates that they're replaced every 15 years (the U.S. is even more strict, now imposing a 10 year limit on transit busses being allowed in service). And Since delivery in 2001, the vast majority of service in Ladner, all service in Tsawwassen, and White Rock's trunk-route and peak-hour service have been served by new Orion V Highway Coaches that include passenger ammenities such as Air Conditioning and high-back reclining seats (let alone the fact that you can take your rightful position above the other drivers in these high-floor coaches, unlike most busses in the system). One of the main reasons that these busses were chosen was the distance of the routes that they serve; these express-coaches are an integral part of our transit network.

All routes served by these busses originate or terminate downtown, making the upto 1.5 hour journeys on these busses luxurious to both your bottom and your bottom line, costing as little as $2.25 outside of peak periods (the same price as the 12 minute crossing of Burrard Inlet aboard SeaBus).

Here's the official site:

www.translink.bc.ca/Transportation_Services/Regional_bus/express_bus.asp



Here are some of my own pics showing my cheap, yet chaufered ride:

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www.masstransport2010.fotopic.net/p28823880.html

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www.masstransport2010.fotopic.net/p29192010.html

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masstransport2010.fotopic.net/p29192031.html

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masstransport2010.fotopic.net/p28899484.html

[Doug]

Hey Graham...how many transfers would you have to make between Langley and Tsawwassen?

[Retrovision]

Unfortunately, as with most transit systems, most of our system's volume has historically come from commuters going to and from the downtown core; some compare this model to the spokes of a bike-wheel. Just before the NDP lost their hold on provincial politics in BC they had approved a revitalization of transit in the lower mainland, focused largely on the under-developed suburb to suburb market, with funding from an unprecedented ("ballancing of the scales" as I think of it) vehicle-levy. Knowing full well that they were going to lose the upcoming election (within a few months), our premier Ujjal <sp?> (who you may remember as the last federal Liberal Health Minister) pulled the plug, as if doing so would win the election in which his party when down to 2 seats.

...In answer to your question, Doug: It may only take 2 transfers between Langley and Tsawwassen, but thanks to people's lack of comprehension of such subjects in this province, and their "nimby"esque outbursts, we not only have a shaddow of the bus service that we could currently have, but we now also have a rising transit debt that is being dealt with by using hastily planned tactics such as charging *all* businesses in the region, tiny to big-box, a uniform parking stall tax, likely ending up eventually putting more small businesses out-of-business than the controversial cut-and-cover technique being used to build the Canada-Line (rapid transit to the Airport and Richmond) will along Cambie Street in Vancouver.

[Koastal Karl]

I dont care either way if we got to Bluffs Park. I have been there before so I have seen the view! If there was only 7 or 8 of us going and there was a few people who wanted to go to the Bluffs I can bring our minivan and we could probably all fit in there as it would be cheaper for me to bring a car from SB than some of you guys from Tsawwassen. But either way if everyone decides to walk on and just do Bellhouse Park that's is also fine! I forgot to mention this probably would all be weather dependent as most of us I dont think want to go in the rain!

[Scott]

Bellhouse Park is about a 15 minute walk from Sturdies Bay... and if I remember correctly, Bluffs would be about 50 minutes walking. I walked it once... but I did stop along the way.

[Koastal Karl]

oh really?? That's not too bad then! I thought it would take like 2 hours to at least get to the Bluffs walking! But Bellhouse Park walking that isent too bad! Maybe we should just walk on and all meet up at Sturdies Bay or Tsawwassen! Actually if we all walked on I would catch the 8am Queen of Saanich to Tsawwassen and meet up with you guys at Tsawwassen then board the Queen of Nanaimo to Sturdies Bay. Then I would go back to Tsawwassen at 5:25pm on the Queen of Nanaimo with everyone then back to Swartz Bay on the 8pm Queen of Vancouver! 4 ferries in a day, 4 fares which would cost me around $40 which is less than one way to Vancouver from Swartz Bay! Ya gotta try these things at least once, for me that would be interesting doing it that way via Tsawwassen!

[Doug]

Ok...I can very likely make this. My form of transit will likely be buses, if it is as friendly as Graham says it is. How much does the Greyhound cost...?

So we would go over on the 10:15 am Queen of Nanaimo sailing, which arrives at 11:05...and return on the 4:50 Bowen Queen sailing? Or were we going to head back on the 5:25 Queen of Nanaimo sailing?

And I would definitely be in for a hike up that hill that's there...don't worry Graham, you aren't alone.

[Mike C]

I'll hike or bike; which ever one appeals to me more at the time of departure.

Likely for me, I'll drive to Ladner Park&Ride, and get the 620 Ladner Exch-Tsawwassen Ferry. They run every 10-15 minutes, and they're Articulated, and bike-rack equipped, so getting one won't be a problem.

[Koastal Karl]

Well you could take whatever sailing you want! The Bowen at 4:50pm direct or the Nanny at 5:25pm via Mayne Island. I am leaning towards the Nanny as I might do the Bowen another day as the Bowen will be crowded! I might do the trip via Tsawwassen! For me the 8am to Tsawwassen, 10:15 to Galiano, 5:25 back to Tsawwassen, 8pm back to Swartz Bay for $40.00 total!

[Doug]

What time does the 5:25 Nanaimo arrive back at Tsawwassen?

[Koastal Karl]

7:15pm I believe it is!

[Doug]

Ok then I best stick with the Bowen Queen.

We could also do that Route 1 roundtrip this summer too...as Dan says he will be up.

[Balfour]

I'll probably hike it from Sturdies Bay. and I'll bus it to TSA. I'd have to take 236, Seabus, 601, 620.

[Doug]

dougubell said:

if it is as friendly as Graham says it is.

I sense a rant coming from Graham about how the the government screwed up the transit and how he hates bureaucrats.

[Balfour]

I don't think Transit is screwed up as far is routes is anyways, but In North Van all our buses are old and slow, and never maintained, which is not good considering the hills that we have here. As for Bureaucracy, it is in-efficient and slows every thing down.

This is just my opinion. Lets see what Graham has to say...

[Retrovision]

I've made my peace :

tsawwassenterminal said:

Unfortunately, as with most transit systems, most of our system's volume has historically come from commuters going to and from the downtown core; some compare this model to the spokes of a bike-wheel. Just before the NDP lost their hold on provincial politics in BC they had approved an revitalization of transit in the lower mainland, focused largely on the under-developed suburb to suburb market, with funding from an unprecedented ("ballancing of the scales" as I think of it) vehicle-levy. Knowing full well that they were going to lose the upcoming election (within a few months), our premier Ujjal <sp?> (who you may remember as the last federal Liberal Health Minister) pulled the plug, as if doing so would win the election in which his party when down to 2 seats.

...In answer to your question, Doug: It may only take 2 transfers between Langley and Tsawwassen, but thanks to people's lack of comprehension of such subjects in this province, and their "nimby"esque outbursts, we not only have a shaddow of the bus service that we could currently have, but we now also have a rising transit debt that is being dealt with by using hastily planned tactics such as charging *all* businesses in the region, tiny to big-box, a uniform parking stall tax, likely ending up eventually putting more small businesses out-of-business than the controversial cut-and-cover technique being used to build the Canada-Line (rapid transit to the Airport and Richmond) will along Cambie Street in Vancouver.

mainlander101 said:

I'll hike or bike; which ever one appeals to me more at the time of departure.

Likely for me, I'll drive to Ladner Park&Ride, and get the 620 Ladner Exch-Tsawwassen Ferry. They run every 10-15 minutes, and they're Articulated, and bike-rack equipped, so getting one won't be a problem.

Unfortunately this is a good example of exactly what I was talking about. In fact the '620 - Tsawwassen Ferry / Airport Stn.' bus only runs once every half hour right now, and that's only because it's the busy season. For most of the year (as well as before 8am and after 6pm) there is only one bus every hour to the ferry terminal. And the fleet is streched so thin that you only have a 50/50 chance of catching an artic.
(Another couple of related notes: I'm not to sure the year, but it was only in the last 5 years that Translink started serving the 7am sailing of route 1 out of Tsawwassen on weekends.
Also of note is the fact that the last bus to the ferry is scheduled to arrive at Tsawwassen terminal 5 minutes before the last departure to Duke Point, forcing foot passengers to arrive over an hour early (on the next-earlier bus); now *that's* bureaucracy for ya)



The closest thing to a rant that you'll generally get out of me these days is facts and questions...

...and if you're really in need of a fix, as Doug seems to be ( ), how about this one:

Why is there no transit service to Duke Point terminal when a regular bus route passes only 5 minutes away, while all other major BC Ferry terminals have mainly frequent service (not to mention the 'minor' terminals with bus service, including Langdale, Brentwood Bay, Saltery Bay, Sidney (WSF (for now?)), Little River - Comox, Westview - Powell River, Campbell River, etc) ?


Cheers,
Graham

P.S. I know that guys are steriotypically known for being the last to ask for directions, so let's prove them wrong: If anyone needs transit directions, don't hesitate to ask.

[Koastal Karl]

List of people who are coming so far

Me
Chris
Jordon
Graham
Scott
Queen of Burnaby Teen

Who else?? Any more? Friday July 7th

I am still trying to decide if I should get up early and take the 8am to Tsawwassen and meet you there or just take the 10:30am direct to Galiano which I would get there about 30 mins after everyone else! Who is driving?? Anyone or are we walking? I dont mind driving if we have to! Mind you I wouldent drive if I was meeting you at Tsawwassen! lol!

[Doug]

You forgot me...and for that I'll have you know that you misspelled "Jordan" wrong.

[Political Incorrectness]

I am a maybe, if my dad can get a day off, I'll be able to come but that is right now looking impossible. Only time I could do it is on a weekend.

[Doug]

I will likely be going alone by bus this time.

[Balfour]

dougubell said:

You forgot me...and for that I'll have you know that you misspelled "Jordan" wrong.

Thank-you Doug

[Koastal Karl]

ok what is everyones plans for the 7th??? Who is walking on?? and who is taking the Bowen back to Tsawwassen and who is taking the Nanny??? And is anyone driving over??? These are things we need to figure out. I can drive over if we wanted to go to the Bluffs??? Who would be interested in going to the Bluffs?? It's about a 1 hr walk someone said. What;s everyones thoughts??

[Mike C]

I'm hiking or biking. If I hike, I'll do the 620 Ladner-TSA. But they better have artics. If I bike, expect to see a large Ford Explorer with two bikes on the roof in the TSA Parking Lot. I will not be driving. I'm preventing Global Warming.