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Post by bcferryfan87 on Mar 30, 2009 16:44:25 GMT -8
I love the comments about the Golden Ears bridge not making sense -hogwash! I for one, and I know others, have had a major headache trying to get to Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and vice versa, or even to Poco. Since 1995 when I moved to Langley, if I ever had to go to any of the north of the Fraser River Communites mentioned above, you had two realistic choices; the Albion - which often meant a 1 hour wait each way just to cross, or the Port Mann; the Port Mann again meant alot of looping around (you're at the 6 on the Clock, you have to now travel to the 9 and around to the 12 -picture the clock, just to get to the 12). The bridge will allow people to move between langley and pitt meadows and indirectly M Ridge, Poco, Coq to move in more of a direct line. Not everyone who travels the Port Mann is going to Vancouver. That sounds a lot like how one Vancouver area mayor wants us to believe it; there are people in the burbs who simply want to commute between the burbs. The argument of "people who move to Langley etc shouldn't complain about the bridge into Vancouver......."doesn't hold true, because often the people aren't going anywhere near Vancouver, but have to use the bridge that everyone who is going to Vancouver, does. Kinda like imagining if there was a BCF to Tsawassen from Vic as there is, but that same ship had to somehow accomodate those who wanted to stop at 2 or 3 of the islands. Wouldn't make much sense arguing that the people shouldn't live on the islands. It's the fact they are having to use the same corridor/vessel to get to a place that isn't anywhere near the place that the others are going. I think this statement makes sense  |
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ProudCanuck
Chief Steward
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Post by ProudCanuck on Mar 31, 2009 7:26:30 GMT -8
Well put bcferryfan87. I too live in Langley and was over it Maple Ridge. It was a 5 sailing wait to get back to the south side and there was an accident on the Pitt River bridge so I had to wait for the ferry. Normally I love riding the ferries but these are a pain.
Cannot wait for that bridge to be open. In my mind the new toll is peanuts compared to the cost of time, fuel and frustration for driving around to the Port Mann.
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Koastal Karl
Voyager 
Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 5, 2009 8:38:30 GMT -8
How much longer will they be in service for??? When is the bridge suppose to be finished???
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ProudCanuck
Chief Steward
Champ Car - Gone, but not forgotten!
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Post by ProudCanuck on Apr 5, 2009 18:47:49 GMT -8
How much longer will they be in service for??? When is the bridge suppose to be finished??? Last sailing set for July 31. Bridge to open in June |
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Quatchi
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Engineering Officer - CCG
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Post by Quatchi on Apr 5, 2009 22:25:02 GMT -8
I thought the tolls would be collected by an RFID chip on you license plate that you got from ICBC.
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D'Elete BC in NJ
Voyager
Dispensing gallons of useless information daily...
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Post by D'Elete BC in NJ on Apr 6, 2009 4:48:11 GMT -8
I thought the tolls would be collected by an RFID chip on you license plate that you got from ICBC. No. The toll card will be issued by Translink (or an agent of the entity which will operate the tolls on behalf of Translink). The toll card will most likely be a sticky side one, that goes on the inside of the windshield, such as that used in Washington State: wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/089B0BC3-1FC7-4DC0-AE7E-EAB244230246/0/GoodToGoInternal.pdfThe toll facility will consist of an overhead bridge with reader instruments, and a lane for manual collection of tolls (that's where you'll find the trolls and ogres). The reader overhead consists of transponder receiver ("*bip!*), camera in case the transponder doesn't see ya (*clik!*) which takes a picture of your front plate which will be used to send you a bill in the mail. This is rather new to BC, but is used on the 401 ETR in T'rana and the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington State. Pretty much the whole east coast uses transponders and dedicated lanes for automated toll collection in the form of EZ-Pass or E-Pass. In fact one of my transponders took an unanticipated trip west recently when I had a vehicle shipped out to my brother. I could watch as I was dinged for tolls as the vehicle headed west...DOH! |
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Post by Northern Exploration on Apr 6, 2009 6:47:06 GMT -8
No. The toll card will be issued by Translink (or an agent of the entity which will operate the tolls on behalf of Translink). The toll card will most likely be a sticky side one, that goes on the inside of the windshield, such as that used in Washington State: wsdot.wa.gov/NR/rdonlyres/089B0BC3-1FC7-4DC0-AE7E-EAB244230246/0/GoodToGoInternal.pdfThe toll facility will consist of an overhead bridge with reader instruments, and a lane for manual collection of tolls (that's where you'll find the trolls and ogres). The reader overhead consists of transponder receiver ("*bip!*), camera in case the transponder doesn't see ya (*clik!*) which takes a picture of your front plate which will be used to send you a bill in the mail. This is rather new to BC, but is used on the 401 ETR in T'rana and the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington State. Pretty much the whole east coast uses transponders and dedicated lanes for automated toll collection in the form of EZ-Pass or E-Pass. In fact one of my transponders took an unanticipated trip west recently when I had a vehicle shipped out to my brother. I could watch as I was dinged for tolls as the vehicle headed west...DOH! Haha. Same thing happened to a friend. She lives in the Markham area, northeast part of the city and her car had transmission trouble near Burlington, which is three cities west. Kind of like Abottsford to West Van sort of thing. The car is under warranty and she has the car companies own service/emergency package. She specifically asked the tow truck driver to take the Queen Elizabeth Way/Highway 401 route versus the toll 407. So what does she get a bill for? 407 the whole way. I don't blame the tow truck driver because it would be less kilometers, less gas and less congestion. I asked her what the toll was and she never answered. She drives a four letter German high end vehicle, but you hear the alarms go off when she opens her wallet. I would guess it was less than $20. The tolls here are all automated. If you don't have the transponder it takes a picture of your license plate and the driver as you speed by. Some people think if they go 140kph through the on ramps and off ramps you can cheat the system. Or if you tail gate the guy in front. But they get you one way or another. If you don't have the transponder it automatically goes to the address you gave when you renewed the vehicle license, with of course a generous handling fee that adds up. And if you don't pay it goes onto your vehicle license fee with another handling charge. You can hear the bells of the companies cash registers ringing. The final section is going to be held by the province and go into their coffers rather than leased to a company. Duh. |
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,885 
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Post by Mill Bay on Apr 6, 2009 11:37:25 GMT -8
Journey ending Langley Advance The Albion Ferry is set to shut down on July 31, a few weeks after the opening of the Golden Ears Bridge. Amy Steele, a reporter with the Langley Advance's sister paper, the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Times, spent a day on the ferry, talking with staff members who have been there for 30 years. A slide show of the Albion Ferry can be found at our website:
www2.canada.com/langleyadvance/soundslides/langley_advance_apr02/index.html Sound is supplied by two staff members who share some hair-raising stories about rescues, plus funny anecdotes about what they will miss the most about life on the water. © Langley Advance 2009
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Post by Kahloke on Apr 6, 2009 12:00:33 GMT -8
The toll card will most likely be a sticky side one, that goes on the inside of the windshield, such as that used in Washington State: The toll facility will consist of an overhead bridge with reader instruments, and a lane for manual collection of tolls (that's where you'll find the trolls and ogres). The reader overhead consists of transponder receiver ("*bip!*), camera in case the transponder doesn't see ya (*clik!*) which takes a picture of your front plate which will be used to send you a bill in the mail. This is rather new to BC, but is used on the 401 ETR in T'rana and the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington State. Yep - got one of those on my windshield for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge - Good To Go! I guess the stickers are also good for the new HOT (High Occupancy Toll) lanes on Hwy 167 between Auburn and Renton. |
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Quatchi
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Engineering Officer - CCG
Posts: 930
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Post by Quatchi on Apr 6, 2009 17:58:04 GMT -8
Ok so pretty much the same concept just different technology. I for some reason though when keenlyside said something about a card i was thinking a dept card where you had to stop and swipe it or something. But the sensor with a sticky card in your windshield sounds great. Even though I live in Chilliwack I want one, I don't wanna get stuck in some line-up for the people who like to use cash..
Cheers,
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Post by Kahloke on Apr 6, 2009 18:20:18 GMT -8
I can't speak for other systems, but with "Good To Go", WSDOT advertised it to death at its conception, and offered incentives to entice people to sign up. It worked so well, there's almost never any long line-ups at the cash toll booths except for certain holiday weekends, and even then the backups are only for a few hours on a Sunday or holiday Monday afternoon. Most regular commuters have the sticker, so there aren't any backups to speak of during the morning rush hour.
In a sense, this has started to backfire on them from a revenue standpoint, because everyone seems to have the Good-To-Go sticker, which is a discounted fare (I believe it's $2.75 with the transponder, $4.00 if you pay cash at the toll booth). They're just now talking about raising the Good-To-Go fare to make up the difference.
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
Posts: 2,885
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Post by Mill Bay on Apr 18, 2009 22:01:09 GMT -8
Here's an unusual and interesting story involving the little-ferry-that-could...
Albion Ferry ruse snares theft suspect
Vancouver Sun
April 18, 2009
An Albion Ferry captain appeared to purposefully delay docking during a trip at about 10 a.m. this morning to allow RCMP time to swoop in and arrest a man waiting to board the ferry in what is believed to have been a stolen truck.
The incident was witnessed by Vancouver Sun assigment editor Dan Cassidy as he was preparing to board the ferry himself.
While the sting was conducted by Ridge Meadows RCMP, Langley RCMP confirmed an incident occurred on the Albion side of the Fraser River involving a possibly intoxicated man in possession of a stolen vehicle.
Cassidy said the ferry delayed about 200 vehicles for about 30 minutes, including a wedding party.
The captain "drifted helplessly in the middle of the river" then bashed into the dock several times, Cassidy said, in order to give police time to apprehend the suspect.
The suspect was driving a late-model black pick-up truck. Police took the man away to the applause of would-be passengers.
As of 11:30 a.m. Ridge Meadows RCMP have yet to reply to calls from The Vancouver Sun.
© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on Apr 19, 2009 19:28:25 GMT -8
The Kulleet and Klatawa are now listed for sale on craigslist. |
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rt1commuter
Chief Steward
JP - Overworked grad student
Posts: 167
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Post by rt1commuter on Apr 20, 2009 10:57:38 GMT -8
How cool would it be if someone bought up one of the k-barges and continued running the Albion ferry as a private business?
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Mill Bay
Voyager
Long Suffering Bosun
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Post by Mill Bay on May 15, 2009 13:39:41 GMT -8
Last gasp of the Albion ferries...
Maple Ridge News
Albion Ferry vessels headed for Washington?
By Phil Melnychuk - Maple Ridge News
Published: May 14, 2009 1:00 PM
Updated: May 14, 2009 9:35 PM
The fate of the Albion ferries is still unknown because the two vessels remain unsold and on the market.
TransLink is selling the ships, the MV Kulleet and Klatawa for $1.1 million each and had them on Craig’s List in preparation for the shutdown of the service, July 31.
According to Dave Miller, president of Fraser River Marine, a TransLink division which operates the ferries, both Washington State Ferries and Whatcom county, near Bellingham, Wa., are interested.
He said TransLink’s broker is trying to find a way to around legislation that requires the use of U.S.-made ships and expects to hear back next week.
“Those ships are in excellent shape. That’s why they’re having a good long look at them,” Miller said.
But a Whatcom county spokesman says the municipality doesn’t have the money and isn’t looking to buy. Washington State Ferries says the ships are too small for their needs as well.
Meanwhile, the future of the Albion ferry docks, on both the south and north side of the Fraser River, is becoming more certain.
TransLink is talking with the Kwantlen First Nation in Langley about taking over the docks on the south side. And West Coast Express is interested in the Albion ferry property in Maple Ridge, likely for a site of the Albion station.
Miller said depending on an environmental study, for which TransLink will pay, the docks could be removed, the riverfront restored and the property offered to Maple Ridge. He said TransLink will soon approach the district on that.
But Miller said he’s received no communication from the municipality.
“I haven’t heard anything from the district.”
Coun. Cheryl Ashlie earlier had said she wanted waterfront access to the river maintained when the ferry stops but council didn’t follow up with a decision.
If West Coast Express decides it doesn’t want the site, the waterfront property will be put up for sale.
Efforts also are continuing to find employment for the 56 Albion ferry employees. Ten though will be retiring and 11 have found work with SeaBus in North Vancouver.
Two employees also are relocating to B.C.’s inland ferry service in Revelstoke and another is going to eastern Canada.
Others are interested in other careers. TransLink hosted job fairs with B.C. Corrections and B.C. Ferries and will host more, he said.
“We’re working as hard as we possibly can. We want to make sure as many people land on their feet.”
Also, there is a recent letter to the editor in the Langley News. Again: wondering why at least one of the ferries can't remain in service for local populations as a recorded one and a half million vehicles use the ferry, as well as wondering why there hasn't already been a WCE station at Albion.
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Post by Balfour on May 15, 2009 14:08:04 GMT -8
Also, there is a recent letter to the editor in the Langley News. Again: wondering why at least one of the ferries can't remain in service for local populations as a recorded one and a half million vehicles use the ferry, as well as wondering why there hasn't already been a WCE station at Albion. This idea here would make a great alternative to get people in Langley to get out of their cars and would make for a much faster way downtown from Langley too. |
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Post by fargowolf on May 15, 2009 17:49:02 GMT -8
When I lived in North Van, I'd drive out JUST to ride the Albion Ferry. Spending an hour in line... Big deal. It's part of the way of life there. At least till the end of July....  I've gone both ways on them. I've purchased hot dogs from the vendor on the Albion side and LoLed at two guys commenting on a "Redneck" (1970's F-250 Ford P/U, sans bed) truck. I remember when heavy ice on the river threw a wrench into the operation, and funnier still being one of THREE vehicles on the ferry around 2200. There was one car in front, and my Dad behind me. My Dad looked at me in the loading area and asked if they would run with just three vehicles. As has been pointed out, Albion, is on the NORTH side of the Fraser River, in Maple ridge, while Ft. Langley is on the south side, technically, in Langley (to the best of my knowledge). I remember a 16 sailing wait for the ferry. That was a Friday, before (can't remember, but think it was the May long weekend.) a long weekend. I was headed home to Kamloops and made the mistake of trying to take HWY 1 to Hope. Sadly, the new Golden Ears bridge will not do anything to alleviate traffic delays, but only add to them. i know many will mourn the loss of the service. I know I will, despite no longer living at the coast. |
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Post by Curtis on Jun 14, 2009 22:40:57 GMT -8
Just as a heads up to those interested.
A news story on the future of the Albion Ferries is going to be on the News Hour on Monday at 6 PM.
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Post by Dane on Jun 16, 2009 14:34:32 GMT -8
I did the Albion ferry today too, along with the Golden Ears Bridge.
While I love ferries that commute must be absolutely unbearable for the majority, and the bridge is surely a welcome addition even with the toll.
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Post by Scott on Jun 16, 2009 16:25:25 GMT -8
I wouldn't recommend trying to get on the absolute last two sailings, it is very dark and you wouldn't see much. A better idea is to sail just before sunset for much better pictures. The article in the 24Hours or Metro newspaper said the final sailing would be at 12:00 noon on July 31. I wouldn't base my plans on that, but it would be nice if it could be confirmed before the date for those of us considering going out there. |
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Post by Canucks on Jun 16, 2009 20:03:02 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Jun 16, 2009 20:29:43 GMT -8
Apparently the city of Pr. Rupert may buy one of the Albion boats to replace/upgrade its airport ferry.
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Post by Northern Exploration on Jun 17, 2009 8:24:13 GMT -8
This has hit the national news as well. A million plus change each. Might put it out of the running as a base for a houseboat, but if the real estate market rebounds...  |
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Quatchi
Voyager
Engineering Officer - CCG
Posts: 930
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Post by Quatchi on Jun 17, 2009 11:20:59 GMT -8
My boss is looking for an old barge or something to build a house on. I told him about these things. If you think bout it and are smart you might be able make back most of the 1,000,000$ by selling the RADs, engines, generators, bridge equipment, and the steel from the superstructure. He wasn't interested though. They are too big.
Cheers,
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Post by Ferryman on Jun 21, 2009 11:21:34 GMT -8
Well it's almost as if we're starting to see people share their thoughts on the Albion Ferry. Nobody misses it until it's gone type of thing. Here's someones video of it on youtube.
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I've gone both ways on them. I've purchased hot dogs from the vendor on the Albion side and LoLed at two guys commenting on a "Redneck" (1970's F-250 Ford P/U, sans bed) truck. I remember when heavy ice on the river threw a wrench into the operation, and funnier still being one of THREE vehicles on the ferry around 2200. There was one car in front, and my Dad behind me. My Dad looked at me in the loading area and asked if they would run with just three vehicles.
