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Post by lmtengs on Dec 2, 2009 7:18:41 GMT -8
Route 30 and route 2: Which is more popular? I know that most non ferry enthusiasts tend to choose rte. 2 when travelling to Nanaimo, because it is the shorter, better-served-by-ships route. But I'm wondering if there's any difference when it comes to us ferrynerds/ferrygeeks/ferry enthusiasts/marine transportation experts.
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Dec 2, 2009 9:44:50 GMT -8
Route 2 is more popular for Nanaimo! Route 30 is more for commercial traffic but I prefer route 30 out of the Nanaimo routes, route 2 is second and route 1 is last! I actually hate route 1 as far as traffic and I live in Victoria! The last few times I have been on route 30 on a Saturday both sailings have been under half full and route 1 hmm pretty close to full which is Rediculas! I sometimes travel route 30 instead of route 1 as it only takes me about 1hr and 25 mins to drive home from Duke Point!
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Post by Kahloke on Dec 2, 2009 10:35:05 GMT -8
I sometimes travel route 30 instead of route 1 as it only takes me about 1hr and 25 mins to drive home from Duke Point! Huh? So let me get this straight. Your destination is Victoria, or somewhere near Victoria, but you would rather take Route 30, which is a 2 hour sailing that takes you in the wrong direction, versus Route 1, which, granted, is a lot more crowded, but it is a shorter sailing time and it takes you much closer to your destination? OK, the ferry geek part of me understands the need and desire to go out of the way to ride on a particular ferry or experience a route because it's different than the norm, but for everyday travels, doesn't the quickest way from Point A to Point B seem the most expedient? |
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Post by Canucks on Dec 2, 2009 15:47:12 GMT -8
Route 2 because it is more scenic and can get some nice pictures.
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Post by Balfour on Dec 2, 2009 20:00:23 GMT -8
I've only ever taken route 30 for ferry geek purposes. Since I live on the North Shore, I mostly take Route 2 when going to the Island, and I like it way better because if I ever get stuck waiting for a while for the ferry, I can always run over to Troll's for some fish and chips ;D
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Post by WettCoast on Dec 2, 2009 21:23:08 GMT -8
Route 1 is the best of the three main pond crossings.
Route 30 is essentially boring with something of interest to see only as you approach Nanaimo.
Route 2 has great views in Howe Sound, and good views of Vancouver (as in my current sig) and Mt Baker on clear days. It also has something to see as you approach Nanaimo. Only the middle bit is not so good. Contrast that with the 'middle bit' on Route 30 which goes on for most of the voyage.
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Ferryman
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Post by Ferryman on Dec 2, 2009 21:32:24 GMT -8
It really varies with me. I live near Nanaimo, obviously I have the option of two different routes. I try to primarily take Route 2 for obvious reasons, such as more scenery, most direct route to the Freeway, and Horseshoe Bay is a fairly central location to most of my destinations. Sometimes I might go out of my way and take Route 30 when the traffic is a little more favourable on that route with lack of sailing waits (for the most part).
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Nick
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Post by Nick on Dec 2, 2009 21:51:56 GMT -8
Well, since I live about 10 minutes from Swartz Bay, route 1 is my choice about 95% of the time. I like route 1, since the scenery is fantastic and the ships are generally my favourites to be on (most people are aware I'm partial to the Spooks...).
I have only taken route 30 as a ferry geek for the sole purpose of riding a ferry, so that should say something about how useful that route is to me.
On the other hand, I do occasionally take route 2. It has excellent scenery, particularly the last (or first, depending on your direction) 10 minutes or so before and as you turn into HSB. I take route 2 when I'm heading for a destination on the north shore or on the sea to sky corridor, because it's not much longer to drive up island than it is to drive across the lower mainland. And it's a MUCH more enjoyable drive.
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Dec 2, 2009 22:47:21 GMT -8
I dont take route 30 all the time and I too usually take it for ferrygeek purposes such as riding the New West when she was filling in for the Alberni or something different. Route 1 is okay but I have done it so many times that it's not that exciting anymore and the ships arent that exciting either unless it's the New West or Celebration. I dont care if route 30 is longer. A 2 hour crossing that is half full is nicer even than route 1 where all the ships it seems are trying to beat one anothers crossing time. Less time on route 1 but more crowded sailings. It just pisses me off that less busy days are always still busy on route 1! I thought ferry fans would enjoy longer trips on the ferries than shorter trips, am I wrong?? I guess depends on what you are doing and where your going! But not I dont take route 30 all the time just the odd time for something different!
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Post by Northern Exploration on Dec 3, 2009 6:50:47 GMT -8
I have only taken route 30 when I have wanted to get from the airport to the Island and I have been going north of Nanaimo. One time I took it because my flight got in later than normal and it had a later sailing. Normally, I would take both ways on route 1 or one way on route 1 and the other on route 2.
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Post by lmtengs on Dec 3, 2009 7:19:12 GMT -8
I prefer route 2, but we usually take route 30 TO the island, b/c the ferry is usually almost empty for the sailing we take (early morning), and then we'll take route 2 FROM the island, because if we get a sailing wait at Duke point, then we have to be bored for hours. Departure Bay at least has a nice (small) Quay and stuff to do.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 3, 2009 8:23:46 GMT -8
I prefer to take Route-30, over Route-2 for my various car trips to the mainland.
Reasons:
- I grew up on Route-2, and so I've seen enough of it.
- I still find Tsawwassen Terminal to be interesting and enjoyable for me to pass through. I like that place, mainly because of the ship traffic at and around it, but also because I rarely saw it as a kid, and so it still seems like a treat to use it.
- For car travel into the BC Interior, although the Route-2 Upper-Levels Highway is much simpler to get me to the Fraser Valley, I do like the variety of the various roads to get me from Tsawwassen to the Valley and beyond. For a slower pace with more variety, I like 0-Avenue.
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ProudCanuck
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Post by ProudCanuck on Dec 3, 2009 10:23:35 GMT -8
Can be bypassed by knowing Nanaimo getting to the Inland Island Speedway (few Lower Mainlanders do) but at least with Rte 30, there's the nice Parkway to go through with spectacular views northbound despite a few traffic lights. Ssssshhhh.... lets try to keep that quiet. I typically use Route 30, but sometimes have to use rt 2 so that is a critical path. |
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Dec 3, 2009 17:53:15 GMT -8
That is another reason I like route 30 over route 2 is because you dont have to go through downtown Nanaimo to get there which saves a bit of time not having to stop and go at traffic lights though downtown Nanaimo. I have to agree with Flugel there! It's easier to go to Tsawwassen than Horseshoe Bay if your going to the interior unless your going up through Whistler then route 2 would by pass downtown Vancouver. I dont like route 1 basically because it was the route I have always travelled on and it's boring now and the volumes of traffic are rediculas and cause I have done it so many times just like I assume Nanaimo people would get sick of route 2 or 30.
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Post by DENelson83 on Dec 4, 2009 13:05:16 GMT -8
Can be bypassed by knowing Nanaimo getting to the Inland Island Speedway (few Lower Mainlanders do) but at least with Rte 30, there's the nice Parkway to go through with spectacular views northbound despite a few traffic lights. Ssssshhhh.... lets try to keep that quiet. I typically use Route 30, but sometimes have to use rt 2 so that is a critical path. Yeah, but Northfield Road can't be signed as a shortcut, or the residents will complain. |
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Post by cohocatcher on Dec 4, 2009 17:14:22 GMT -8
Yeah, but Northfield Road can't be signed as a shortcut, or the residents will complain. Only half would complain and the other half would cheer since the North side of Northfield is basically commercial and they would want people to come in and spend money. ;D |
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Post by Scott on Dec 6, 2009 0:20:36 GMT -8
Can be bypassed by knowing Nanaimo getting to the Inland Island Speedway (few Lower Mainlanders do) but at least with Rte 30, there's the nice Parkway to go through with spectacular views northbound despite a few traffic lights. Ssssshhhh.... lets try to keep that quiet. I typically use Route 30, but sometimes have to use rt 2 so that is a critical path. Last time I was over there, there was a huge lineup to turn left onto Northfield... I think the "secret" is out;) The trip through town wasn't too busy. Either way, Departure Bay is still about 10 minutes closer to the north island than Duke Point. The Inland Highway can be quite frustrating sometimes (because of all the lights), although not as bad as the Lougheed "Highway" in Burnaby. I will almost always take Route 2, mostly because I'm usually heading between Parksville and Burnaby. The Burnaby connection is probably the larger factor since Horseshoe Bay is about 20-25 minutes from North Burnaby while Tsawwassen is at least 45 minutes with a much higher chance of traffic tie-ups. Access to Tsawwassen isn't so bad in the evenings when River Road is basically a highway into Surrey/New Westminster. Historically, Horseshoe Bay has also been much more accessible by transit. I haven't tried Tsawwassen by public transit since the RAV line started, so I'm not sure if it's improved. For me in Burnaby though, Horseshoe Bay is still only two transfers and Tsawwassen is three. The main reasons I've taken Route 30 are: 1. To ride a different ferry 2. It has been less busy at times (including the availability of reservations) 3. Cheaper fares (probably goes back a year or two) 4. I want to take a really late ferry or on the rare occasion the departure times are more convenient for whatever reason. |
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Post by fargowolf on Dec 6, 2009 8:53:17 GMT -8
Route 2 for me.
The reasons being: Easy access from the mainland. Shorter crossing time. And lastly it's a more direct route to that part of the island.
The downside to this, means it's a fairly busy route, but I don't mind the wait as it gives me a chance to get out and stretch my legs.
For most travellers, Route 30 is too far out of the way to be practical. Why drive to Tswwassen, if you're going to the N. Island? On the flip side though, the Duke Pt. terminal is easier to get to from the island Hwy.
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Post by DENelson83 on Dec 6, 2009 19:55:21 GMT -8
If you want to drive from, say, Bellingham to Campbell River, the fastest route uses ferry route 30.
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Post by lmtengs on Dec 8, 2009 7:52:42 GMT -8
The Inland Highway can be quite frustrating sometimes (because of all the lights), although not as bad as the Lougheed "Highway" in Burnaby. Lougheed Highway?? I've never heard of a Lougheed Highway running through Burnaby... there's a Lougheed Parking Lot that runs from Vancouver to Maple Ridge, but the actual highway starts at about 240 st (near the Albion Ferry) and goes out to Hope.  |
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Post by Northern Exploration on Dec 8, 2009 9:59:59 GMT -8
The Inland Highway can be quite frustrating sometimes (because of all the lights), although not as bad as the Lougheed "Highway" in Burnaby. Lougheed Highway?? I've never heard of a Lougheed Highway running through Burnaby... there's a Lougheed Parking Lot that runs from Vancouver to Maple Ridge, but the actual highway starts at about 240 st (near the Albion Ferry) and goes out to Hope. When we used to play hockey in the alley and occasionally balls would reach the side street we lived on (Beta) and would roll down onto Lougheed. Probably made quite a thump when it hit the cars. And first snowfalls we would always watch the cars slide down the same hill and always waited for a smash at the bottom if they didn't manage to slow the slide before the highway  . Amazingly all the times someone did slide to the bottom, we never saw an accident. Likewise there were younger guys across the street who would send any manner of wheeled tonka vehicles etc. down the hill when they got too beat up or decided they wanted new ones. Loughheed wasn't as busy then. |
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Post by fargowolf on Dec 8, 2009 17:51:37 GMT -8
If you want to drive from, say, Bellingham to Campbell River, the fastest route uses ferry route 30. That's why I said "For most travelers..." Obviously anyone coming up from the US, or even the Twassen area, is going to use Route 30 to get to the mid/north part of the island. But the majority of people will use route 2 Just my 2 cents. *hands you two pennies and is now broke* |
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Dec 8, 2009 19:59:43 GMT -8
Actual 'popularity' numbers, from the '08-'09 report to the Ferry Commissioner:
Total round trips provided:
rte. 2- 3,118
rte. 30- 2,771
Vehicles carried (AEQ):
rte. 2- 1,377,422 (loss of 104,012 from previous year)
rte 30- 876,841 (growth of 5,231 from previous year)
Passengers carried:
rte.2- 3,421,415 (loss of 230,932 from previous year)
rte. 30- 1,534,418 (growth of 57,834 from previous year)
Passenger and vehicle revenue, in millions:
rte. 2- $100.3
rte. 30- $58.0
Like most people who live south of the Fraser and are travelling anywhere on Vancouver Island, I leave from Tsawwassen. Route 30 is my usual route, and I've done it too many times for it to be much more than an opportunity to stock up on newspapers and read.
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. Amazingly all the times someone did slide to the bottom, we never saw an accident. Likewise there were younger guys across the street who would send any manner of wheeled tonka vehicles etc. down the hill when they got too beat up or decided they wanted new ones. Loughheed wasn't as busy then.