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Post by WettCoast on Feb 3, 2018 23:07:38 GMT -8
Why move it up to Squamish? That seems like it would be waay out of the way for most people living in North Vancouver. Why would you drive north to the north end of Howe Sound just to take a ferry that runs back through where you just came through? I don't disagree that HSB is quite small and cramped, but that's not a good location. I don't think route two is going anywhere. Building a new terminal up Howe Sound would be insanely expensive, and would add to the travel time. BC Ferries, and the provincial government, make a profit as it is from the run. The most likely, and least costly scenario is to expand the marshalling area, possibly with an upper deck. Cheaper than all the costs involved with new marine structures, approaches and other infrastructure somewhere else. Tsawwassen can't absorb all the traffic if Horseshoe Bay was eliminated from service to the Island. Black Ball got it right with their location in the early '50s, and I think we're going to be living with Horseshoe Bay, with its limitations, for a long time to come. Everything that you say is absolutely correct, Neil. Horseshoe Bay may have some serious limitations, but it is not going away any time soon. It will continue well into the future as a base for the same three routes it has served since set up by Blackball in the 1950's. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 5, 2018 18:44:52 GMT -8
Here's a video that I made of a trip from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay, up the Upper Levels Highway to the turnaround, back down the hill, and into the lineup for Langdale.
- March 11, 2018
This was the start of a work trip to Sechelt for me.
My motivation in making this video is to have a video record of the highway turnaround.
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Post by Nickfro on Jun 22, 2018 16:17:12 GMT -8
Serious ferry chess at Horseshoe Bay this afternoon, otherwise known as “vessel congestion at berths” as BCFS calls it.
Coquitlam was in Berth 2 after 230 Nanaimo crossing. Next sailing 530 on Route 3.
Surrey arrived 40 mins late for 440 sailing at Berth 3. 520 anticipated departure.
Capilano arrived at Berth 1 and left at 510.
Coquitlam leaves Berth 2 to allow Cowichan to arrive at 510.
Surrey leaves Berth 3, Coquitlam surely to enter Berth 3. Coquitlam will be late for its sailing because Surrey is behind.
Goes to show what one vessel behind schedule can do to all routes that use this terminal.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Sept 5, 2019 18:56:14 GMT -8
How often do Departure Bay vessels use berth 3? I am asking because I was on Queen of Oak Bay tonight and she docked in berth 3.
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Post by Jessica on Sept 6, 2019 18:32:27 GMT -8
How often do Departure Bay vessels use berth 3? I am asking because I was on Queen of Oak Bay tonight and she docked in berth 3. I am not sure but I think its when there is 2 sailings to Departure Bay that are only 30 minutes from each other. |
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Post by Curtis on Sept 17, 2019 20:24:11 GMT -8
As many of us know, BC Ferries is planning to give the Horseshoe Bay terminal a major overhaul in the not too distant future. Public engagement started last year and earlier today, BC Ferries released a number of concept images of what they are planning to do and are seeking public input. Consultation lasts until October 13 and there will be a community engagement event in West Vancouver on October 7th. News Release: www.bcferries.com/bcferries/faces/attachments?id=1380303The survey with the concepts can be found by clicking "Engage Now" on the project page linked below. www.bcferries.com/about/hsbterminal/The first phase of the project is where most of the big changes will take place. It will deal with improving efficiency and upgrading existing infrastructure. A second exit road will be added along the east side of the terminal (Where vehicle traffic for Langdale traffic currently queues) and meet with the existing exit road at Keith Rd. (Where there will also be a new exit in/out of the village) The berths will also be rebuilt and realigned. Judging by the images, the berths will be aligned evenly and extend further out than the existing ones. The foot passenger waiting area will also be rebuilt over top of the existing two as a single large building with panoramic views of Horseshoe Bay. (Hopefully this improves the ferry spotting experience) The second phase will involve building a large new terminal building that will act as a transit hub and a public event space. Among the features mentioned are a new transit exchange, a public plaza for community events, and commercial space for shops and restaurants. Seems to me like they're trying to turn Horseshoe Bay into a Lonsdale Quay style experience. |
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Post by markkarj on Sept 22, 2019 7:42:03 GMT -8
Any thoughts on the Horseshoe Bay renderings? dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-ferries-horseshoe-bay-terminal-rebuild-designThat's an enormous bill, but I guess it ain't cheap to build in such a confined space. I bet staging the construction will be enormously complicated... they'd likely have to expand the holding area before they do any other work on existing structures. |
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Post by Kahloke on Sept 22, 2019 9:57:29 GMT -8
bump to signify that I moved the two previous posts into this thread.
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Post by futureferrydriver on Sept 23, 2019 6:43:00 GMT -8
Any thoughts on the Horseshoe Bay renderings? dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-ferries-horseshoe-bay-terminal-rebuild-designThat's an enormous bill, but I guess it ain't cheap to build in such a confined space. I bet staging the construction will be enormously complicated... they'd likely have to expand the holding area before they do any other work on existing structures. What my armchair engineering self expects to see is this: First they blast into the rock (night work I’d imagine, likely can’t do that with people around) to get started on the second exit. Then before they start using it as a second exit this area can be used for normal vehicle holding. This would give them (probably?) enough space to re-do the double decker holding area (Langdale and Bowen lanes) to whatever extent is needed. The toughest part on regular operations might be adding the overpass to connect the second exit with the main exit highway. As a bit of a construction geek I’ve been hugley interesting in watching the Lower Lynn highway project develop in North Van (and McKenzie interchange in Victoria) over the last few years. I’m sure it will be amazing to see how they manage to do all of this and keep the terminal operating (somewhat) normally. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Sept 23, 2019 19:17:54 GMT -8
I have say some of design are odd, such as massive transit centre only couple of buses have terminus there. How would an second exit help? How would berth being the in lineup help terminal operations?
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Post by futureferrydriver on Sept 24, 2019 7:43:38 GMT -8
I have say some of design are odd, such as massive transit centre only couple of buses have terminus there. How would an second exit help? How would berth being the in lineup help terminal operations? The massive bus loop does seem a bit ridiculous, but they're likely including areas for coach buses and school buses to be properly staged. This will be an improvement over the current set up. A summer afternoon at the Swartz Bay parking lot is a good reminder that not enough bus parking can be a serious pain in the butt! The second exit is the single most important improvement that can be made to Horseshoe Bay terminal. As it stands for all 3 routes that service HSB (which can mean up to 6 different vessels in the summer) there is only one way for cars to get off the boats, meaning only one ship can unload at a time. You can probably already see the problem here, but wait there's more!! Since the only exit is on the south side of the terminal, if berth 3 is unloading than no loading can even be done at berth 1 or 2 as the traffic passes across these berth to get to the exit (similarly if berth 1 or 2 is loading then berth 3 can't unload). The schedule for routes servicing HSB is a delicately crafted piece of art to mesh all of these weird operational requirements together (including stuff like Langdale needs to be berth 3 always, Coastal needs berth 1 etc.) and minimize the time ships are spent sitting waiting to load or unload. Of course there is little margin for error here and (as is often the case) once one ship gets delayed it will inevitably prevent another ship from loading or unloading on time. This creates a domino effect and is a huge part of why route 3 often gets delayed by literally hours. The second exit gives operations at HSB a huge amount of flexibility. What we would likely see is berth 3 (Langdale) always using the new exit so that the Langdale run can operate essentially unaffected by the other two routes. Meanwhile berth 2 has the freedom to exit either side of the terminal depending on where traffic needs to be loaded. I don't see a huge operational benefit to lining up the 3 berths out farther into the water. If I had to guess I'd say doing so gives them more holding space in the terminal, and potentially more room to work on the construction of other aspects of the project. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Sept 24, 2019 17:13:22 GMT -8
I have say some of design are odd, such as massive transit centre only couple of buses have terminus there. How would an second exit help? How would berth being the in lineup help terminal operations? The massive bus loop does seem a bit ridiculous, but they're likely including areas for coach buses and school buses to be properly staged. This will be an improvement over the current set up. A summer afternoon at the Swartz Bay parking lot is a good reminder that not enough bus parking can be a serious pain in the butt! The second exit is the single most important improvement that can be made to Horseshoe Bay terminal. As it stands for all 3 routes that service HSB (which can mean up to 6 different vessels in the summer) there is only one way for cars to get off the boats, meaning only one ship can unload at a time. You can probably already see the problem here, but wait there's more!! Since the only exit is on the south side of the terminal, if berth 3 is unloading than no loading can even be done at berth 1 or 2 as the traffic passes across these berth to get to the exit (similarly if berth 1 or 2 is loading then berth 3 can't unload). The schedule for routes servicing HSB is a delicately crafted piece of art to mesh all of these weird operational requirements together (including stuff like Langdale needs to be berth 3 always, Coastal needs berth 1 etc.) and minimize the time ships are spent sitting waiting to load or unload. Of course there is little margin for error here and (as is often the case) once one ship gets delayed it will inevitably prevent another ship from loading or unloading on time. This creates a domino effect and is a huge part of why route 3 often gets delayed by literally hours. The second exit gives operations at HSB a huge amount of flexibility. What we would likely see is berth 3 (Langdale) always using the new exit so that the Langdale run can operate essentially unaffected by the other two routes. Meanwhile berth 2 has the freedom to exit either side of the terminal depending on where traffic needs to be loaded. I don't see a huge operational benefit to lining up the 3 berths out farther into the water. If I had to guess I'd say doing so gives them more holding space in the terminal, and potentially more room to work on the construction of other aspects of the project. But not many coach buses go to Horseshoe Bay. I truly don’t think the second exit would be useful if only the upper deck uses it because that is half of cars from route 3 vessels. How would vehicles from lower deckers get access to the second exit? |
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Post by futureferrydriver on Sept 24, 2019 19:37:57 GMT -8
The massive bus loop does seem a bit ridiculous, but they're likely including areas for coach buses and school buses to be properly staged. This will be an improvement over the current set up. A summer afternoon at the Swartz Bay parking lot is a good reminder that not enough bus parking can be a serious pain in the butt! The second exit is the single most important improvement that can be made to Horseshoe Bay terminal. As it stands for all 3 routes that service HSB (which can mean up to 6 different vessels in the summer) there is only one way for cars to get off the boats, meaning only one ship can unload at a time. You can probably already see the problem here, but wait there's more!! Since the only exit is on the south side of the terminal, if berth 3 is unloading than no loading can even be done at berth 1 or 2 as the traffic passes across these berth to get to the exit (similarly if berth 1 or 2 is loading then berth 3 can't unload). The schedule for routes servicing HSB is a delicately crafted piece of art to mesh all of these weird operational requirements together (including stuff like Langdale needs to be berth 3 always, Coastal needs berth 1 etc.) and minimize the time ships are spent sitting waiting to load or unload. Of course there is little margin for error here and (as is often the case) once one ship gets delayed it will inevitably prevent another ship from loading or unloading on time. This creates a domino effect and is a huge part of why route 3 often gets delayed by literally hours. The second exit gives operations at HSB a huge amount of flexibility. What we would likely see is berth 3 (Langdale) always using the new exit so that the Langdale run can operate essentially unaffected by the other two routes. Meanwhile berth 2 has the freedom to exit either side of the terminal depending on where traffic needs to be loaded. I don't see a huge operational benefit to lining up the 3 berths out farther into the water. If I had to guess I'd say doing so gives them more holding space in the terminal, and potentially more room to work on the construction of other aspects of the project. But not many coach buses go to Horseshoe Bay. I truly don’t think the second exit would be useful if only the upper deck uses it because that is half of cars from route 3 vessels. How would vehicles from lower deckers get access to the second exit? 1. Sure not a lot go there NOW, but still it seems like a justifiable feature to include when upgrading the terminal amenities. Even if its just for the Bowen Islanders school bus it seems worth it to me. Plus it will be nice to have a proper spot for the Tofino bus! Perhaps extra bus parking will encourage a future stop at Horseshoe bay for some of the Vancouver to Whistler shuttle buses. In general more and better bus accommodations are almost always better. 2. The diagram isn’t clear but it looks like the second exit does include both decks. It would be utterly ridiculous to spend millions blasting into the hill if it only made a second exit for the upper deck, so I am almost positive the lower ramp will exit this way too. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Sept 24, 2019 20:58:24 GMT -8
But not many coach buses go to Horseshoe Bay. I truly don’t think the second exit would be useful if only the upper deck uses it because that is half of cars from route 3 vessels. How would vehicles from lower deckers get access to the second exit? 1. Sure not a lot go there NOW, but still it seems like a justifiable feature to include when upgrading the terminal amenities. Even if its just for the Bowen Islanders school bus it seems worth it to me. Plus it will be nice to have a proper spot for the Tofino bus! Perhaps extra bus parking will encourage a future stop at Horseshoe bay for some of the Vancouver to Whistler shuttle buses. In general more and better bus accommodations are almost always better. 2. The diagram isn’t clear but it looks like the second exit does include both decks. It would be utterly ridiculous to spend millions blasting into the hill if it only made a second exit for the upper deck, so I am almost positive the lower ramp will exit this way too. 1. Tofino Bus only use cutaway buses. Maybe BC Ferries is wanting BC Transit to terminated the Sea to Sky Bus Route there but I doubt that maybe pick up on the way to Whistler and drop off on the way to Metro Vancouver terminus. 2. Hopefully that is the case because it would be kinda silly to spend that much money for an upper car deck exit. |
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Post by 1foot2ships on Oct 5, 2019 18:08:04 GMT -8
u guys might not have seen these yet, but they published these info cards about the expansion.
fwiw... the rendering in that dailybuzz link shows things in better detail |
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Post by paulvanb on Apr 14, 2020 16:37:45 GMT -8
Had a shoot on Bowen Island today. Our 10:15 sailing was about 1/3 full, and everyone stayed in their vehicles from what I could see. It was very strange to see the parking lots so empty. The Queen of Oak Bay was so looking forlorn in her berth with no activity to be seen on board. Our 2:55 sailing coming home was about 2/3 full.
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Post by paulvanb on May 21, 2020 8:28:31 GMT -8
Waiting for the almost, always late Bowen Island ferry. Queen of Surrey is offloading, and for vehicles, looks like business as usual. Ran into someone I know. He says that without the Departure Bay run, things seem weird here.  |
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Post by paulvanb on May 26, 2020 11:24:07 GMT -8
Another week, another shoot on Bowen Island. Berth 2 is still under repair. Going on as a foot passenger today. All passenger loading is done at the ramp.  |
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Post by paulvanb on Jun 7, 2020 10:56:32 GMT -8
Changing it up this morning. Loading for Bowen Island using betth #3!  |
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Post by paulvanb on Jun 25, 2020 7:58:57 GMT -8
Another day, another shoot on Bowen Island. Waiting in line, you would never think that we are still in stage 2 with everyone looking to leave town!  |
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Post by paulvanb on Jul 21, 2020 10:07:45 GMT -8
Another day, another shoot on Bowen Island. The Queen of Oak Bay is full to the gunnells!  |
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Post by paulvanb on Aug 17, 2020 10:19:42 GMT -8
Berth #2 is open again. HSB is nuts again!  |
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Post by brucecy92 on Oct 6, 2020 17:05:48 GMT -8
Can you reserve a parking space at the parkade similarly to how you can reserve a spot on a sailing?
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Post by Kahloke on Oct 7, 2020 4:29:37 GMT -8
Can you reserve a parking space at the parkade similarly to how you can reserve a spot on a sailing? Bump tp signify that I moved the above post into this existing thread |
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Oct 7, 2020 8:38:04 GMT -8
Changing it up this morning. Loading for Bowen Island using betth #3! Speaking of Bowen Island loading at Berth 3, back in January, the Bowen Queen was using Berth 3 at Horseshoe Bay around 3pm, which was cool. The Coquitlam had been tied up in Berth 2 all morning because of wind cancellations but they decided to use 3 on our sailing so that was fun! |
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