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Post by WettCoast on Mar 17, 2022 8:28:44 GMT -8
It seems odd (to say the least) to put two Coastals on route 30, leaving the much busier (I am pretty sure?) route 2 with only tired old C class ... BCFS needs to explain this decision.
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Post by arrrrmatey on Mar 17, 2022 9:12:40 GMT -8
I would guess this is to increase the overweight capacity on route 30. This route regularly sees 2-3 sailing waits in the summer for over heights, and the coastals have a taller upper car deck allowing smaller over heights and pickups with smaller trailers to use the upper deck.
I’m surprised though that the alberni will be used on route 2 instead of 3. Two C’s on route 3 is a bit overkill (and I’m saying this as a regular traveller on this route) and I’ve often thought that the Alberni should be moved to langdale in the summer months as a better redistribution of vehicle capacity. They could always add an extra round trip on busy days…
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Mar 17, 2022 9:31:36 GMT -8
I would guess this is to increase the overweight capacity on route 30. This route regularly sees 2-3 sailing waits in the summer for over heights, and the coastals have a taller upper car deck allowing smaller over heights and pickups with smaller trailers to use the upper deck. I’m surprised though that the alberni will be used on route 2 instead of 3. Two C’s on route 3 is a bit overkill (and I’m saying this as a regular traveller on this route) and I’ve often thought that the Alberni should be moved to langdale in the summer months as a better redistribution of vehicle capacity. They could always add an extra round trip on busy days… i suspect 'arrrrmatey's' explanation is closest to the mark. Although originally designated a truck ferry, the Queen of Alberni doesn't really have the best layout for the role, given her car deck's division into three 'tunnels'. There's some wasted space, and the Coastals are also twenty metres longer and a metre wider. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think route two has any drop trailer capacity, and this is an area that BC Ferries is trying to develop, so route thirty has priority in that sense. The ' Alberni's lack of passenger space will not be welcome on route two, but maybe she'll get the less busy part of the schedule.
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Post by Kahloke on Mar 17, 2022 9:45:02 GMT -8
I agree with Arrrrmatey on Alberni's deployment to Route 2. It seems like running Alberni as the 2nd vessel on Route 3 would be a better placement where passenger numbers are concerned. I'm curious why they chose to put her on Route 2.
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Post by WettCoast on Mar 17, 2022 10:22:50 GMT -8
I agree that the Alberni would make a better fit as the 2nd vessel on route 3 leaving the Coquitlam to serve as the 3rd vessel on route 2. And yes, maybe the 2nd Coastal's main deck capacity for big over heights would be welcome on route 30, but it does leave a whole lot of unneeded passenger space on that route. How about putting the QoNWM back on route 30 and the Renaissance as #2 out of Tsawwassen on route 1? The extra passenger capacity (as well as vehicles) makes sense there.
When BCFS is designing new vessels to replace the C's & QoNWM perhaps they should go with two of them having lots of space for big over heights, but reduced passenger space (e.g. a sort of Alberni X Coastal hybrid).
I will now become a more frequent traveller on those routes as I will be living in Parksville as of the end of April.
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Post by Dane on Mar 17, 2022 13:04:46 GMT -8
When BCFS is designing new vessels to replace the C's & QoNWM perhaps they should go with two of them having lots of space for big over heights, but reduced passenger space (e.g. a sort of Alberni X Coastal hybrid).
Although I was frustrated that BC Ferries stopped the C Class replacement program because of Covid, I understand why they did with such rapidly changing market conditions. And now we see the complexities of continuing to balance a fleet of generally inappropriate vessels to routes where they just don't seem to fit. Too much pax space on Route 30, a loss of vehicle and pax capacity on Route 2 this summer, arguably a slightly overserved Route 3 and the perpetual QoNW which is too small against any ideal requirement. Immediately prior to Covid all traffic was trending up for BC Ferries, vehicle, commercial and foot. Basically, ferries needed to be bigger by every measure. There was also a greater increase, as a proportion, of foot pax as we know that transit/car share/park & ride had been becoming more popular. Now it seems unwise to make a strong prediction on what trends will continue and change. That said, I personally feel like any commercially focused ferry would be a mistake. It's better for a public transport service to carry around excess capacity, rather than too little - while there's an end point to that argument I do believe it to be generally true. The Coastal Inspiration can run Route 30 with a closed passenger deck, and the Queen of Alberni couldn't handle Route 1's foot passenger volume even in Covid times; I think this serves as a good demonstration of the two alternatives for passenger capacity. Each passing day for the last three weeks I have heard from acquaintances that both BC Transit and Translink are seeing day-by-day ridership increases, likely an intersection of both very high gas prices and a perception that the public health situation is generally better. Hopefully that trend continues. In February Translink reported that they were at 64.5% of boarding compared to the same time in 2020. All to say a gradual return to the high foot pax volumes of past ought to be expected.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Mar 17, 2022 13:44:21 GMT -8
Is switching the vessels breaking the contract between Province and BC Ferries because it Coastal Class should serve route 2 in peak season? I personally think this move isn’t smartest thing to do because foot traffic and vehicle on route 2 will be over capacity for vessels to handle while route 30 vessels are under capacity since deck 4 is never open to passengers on route even during the summer.
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Post by Cascadian Transport on Mar 17, 2022 14:24:44 GMT -8
Is switching breaking the contract between Province and BC Ferries because it Coastal Class should serve route 2 in peak season? The contract lays out a minimum number of sailings that must occur and minimum daily aggregated capacity requirements- there is nothing that I am aware of that states certain vessels must be assigned to certain routes. As long as the Cowichan, Oak Bay, and Alberni combined can still meet the minimum capacity and frequency requirements, there is no contract violation of which I am aware. That having been said, I have mixed feelings about this reassignment. Wait times seem to have become practically interminable on Route 30 during the peak season, and a second Coastal will certainly help alleviate that (at least in the short term). But Route 2 is getting shafted in the process- even the Queen of Oak Bay can feel unpleasantly crowded there. The Queen of Alberni on a peak-hour sailing... I feel that would be, shall we say, *interesting*. As well, from a selfish ferry-enthusiast's perspective, a ride on Route 2 on the Coastal Renaissance was always a treat for me, and I am disappointed that it is one I won't get to experience this summer.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Mar 17, 2022 16:14:17 GMT -8
Is switching breaking the contract between Province and BC Ferries because it Coastal Class should serve route 2 in peak season? The contract lays out a minimum number of sailings that must occur and minimum daily aggregated capacity requirements- there is nothing that I am aware of that states certain vessels must be assigned to certain routes. As long as the Cowichan, Oak Bay, and Alberni combined can still meet the minimum capacity and frequency requirements, there is no contract violation of which I am aware. I have seen in contacts that they say this vessel needs to be assigned to the route.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Mar 17, 2022 17:00:52 GMT -8
The contract lays out a minimum number of sailings that must occur and minimum daily aggregated capacity requirements- there is nothing that I am aware of that states certain vessels must be assigned to certain routes. As long as the Cowichan, Oak Bay, and Alberni combined can still meet the minimum capacity and frequency requirements, there is no contract violation of which I am aware. I have seen in contacts that they say this vessel needs to be assigned to the route. There is nothing in the current contract that stipulates exactly which vessels are used when. Any combination of Cs, Coastals, and the Queen of New Westminster would supply roughly the capacity needed. I do think, though, that this move gets away from what should be BC Ferries' core mission; to transport passengers and their vehicles as well as accompanied commercial traffic. You could say that they're focusing on drop trailer traffic on route 30, which is an area that Seaspan already has the ability to serve. Are they getting more interested in poaching business from a private freight carrier than providing adequate cabin space for passengers?
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Post by Cascadian Transport on Mar 17, 2022 17:00:57 GMT -8
I have seen in contacts that they say this vessel needs to be assigned to the route. The vessel descriptions in Appendix A are for descriptive purposes only. By that logic, BCFerries would also be in violation of the contract if they added a 141st parking space in the short-term car park at Horseshoe Bay. BCFerries' contractual obligations insofar as service levels are concerned are spelled out in Appendix 1 of Schedule A of the CFSC:
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Mar 17, 2022 17:08:47 GMT -8
I have seen in contacts that they say this vessel needs to be assigned to the route. The vessel descriptions in Appendix A are for descriptive purposes only. By that logic, BCFerries would also be in violation of the contract if they added a 141st parking space in the short-term car park at Horseshoe Bay. But if look at the routes it says vessels on the route should be this to equal the capacity.
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Post by bigcountry on Mar 17, 2022 23:36:22 GMT -8
RBI shows the Coastal Renaissance replacing the Queen of Alberni on June 20th, then the Queen of Alberni beginning service out of Departure Bay on June 23rd
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Post by Ollie on Apr 8, 2022 11:12:54 GMT -8
What is the font used for the ship names painted on the side of the ferries?
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Post by Scott on Apr 8, 2022 13:52:32 GMT -8
What is the font used for the ship names painted on the side of the ferries? Adobe Garamond Pro Bold Italic.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Apr 8, 2022 17:03:30 GMT -8
What is the font used for the ship names painted on the side of the ferries? Adobe Garamond Pro Bold Italic. The ultimate ferry nerd fact. And dollars to doughnuts Scott didn't even have to look it up.
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Post by 1foot2ships on Apr 11, 2022 22:37:42 GMT -8
What is the font used for the ship names painted on the side of the ferries? Adobe Garamond Pro Bold Italic. The ultimate ferry nerd fact. And dollars to doughnuts Scott didn't even have to look it up. Difficult question, out-of-the blue answer, snide reaction. All within 6 hrs. Best source of content outside of Tik-Tok! These three posts should be in the forum's hall of fame
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Post by cbachmeier on May 11, 2022 15:15:00 GMT -8
I am curious does anyone have info on wheelhouse visits during COVID. Last time I checked in November they said access was "very restricted"? Has this been different or changed for anyone lately.
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Post by 1foot2ships on May 19, 2022 22:20:35 GMT -8
mods: not sure if this belongs here or in the 'service notices' thread. please adjust if mis-categorised
Here we are everybody! On the eve of the unofficial start of the first annual post-pandemic Summer, Victoria Day long!
BCF on this long weekend will a) have a major operational issue on one of it's major ships b) experience an IT/network/communications failure c) encounter severe bad weather d) have a big problem at one of their big4 terminals e) f) g) sail effortlessly as on most days
Note: I was talking to somebody who deliberately avoids travelling until the wknd after b/c 'There's always a major problem either going or coming back every long weekend' (I've never kept track so I didn't have any reply either way)
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Post by Kahloke on May 20, 2022 5:30:28 GMT -8
mods: not sure if this belongs here or in the 'service notices' thread. please adjust if mis-categorised Here we are everybody! On the eve of the unofficial start of the first annual post-pandemic Summer, Victoria Day long! BCF on this long weekend will a) have a major operational issue on one of it's major ships b) experience an IT/network/communications failure c) encounter severe bad weather d) have a big problem at one of their big4 terminals e) f) g) sail effortlessly as on most days Note: I was talking to somebody who deliberately avoids travelling until the wknd after b/c 'There's always a major problem either going or coming back every long weekend' (I've never kept track so I didn't have any reply either way) For WSF, it's next weekend, Memorial Day weekend, that we typically ask these questions - which vessel is going to break down, etc. And now, these days, which sailings will be cancelled due to lack of crew? May this weekend (Victoria Day), and next weekend (Memorial Day), provide smooth sailing for our respective ferry fleets.
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Post by 1foot2ships on May 20, 2022 11:22:04 GMT -8
Thanks for the re-location! I also wasn't sure if it would be good to mention you guys down there b/c I didn't want to jinx you. I also was under the impression you guys are dominantly commutter runs, but then again, you have Gulf Islands to visit also.... (Is that what you call them also?)
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Post by Kahloke on May 20, 2022 12:28:39 GMT -8
Thanks for the re-location! I also wasn't sure if it would be good to mention you guys down there b/c I didn't want to jinx you. I also was under the impression you guys are dominantly commutter runs, but then again, you have Gulf Islands to visit also.... (Is that what you call them also?) I would say many of WSF's routes serve commuters on the weekdays. On the weekends, routes like Edmonds-Kingston, and Mukilteo-Clinton are very full with weekend travelers. Port Townsend-Keystone sees some commercial traffic and a LOT of tourist traffic, as does Anacortes-San Juan Islands. Yes, our islands are called the San Juan Islands, even though geographically, it seems like an extension of the Gulf Islands.
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Post by northwesterner on May 20, 2022 18:01:07 GMT -8
Thanks for the re-location! I also wasn't sure if it would be good to mention you guys down there b/c I didn't want to jinx you. I also was under the impression you guys are dominantly commutter runs, but then again, you have Gulf Islands to visit also.... (Is that what you call them also?) I would say many of WSF's routes serve commuters on the weekdays. On the weekends, routes like Edmonds-Kingston, and Mukilteo-Clinton are very full with weekend travelers. Port Townsend-Keystone sees some commercial traffic and a LOT of tourist traffic, as does Anacortes-San Juan Islands. Yes, our islands are called the San Juan Islands, even though geographically, it seems like an extension of the Gulf Islands. One might argue that geographically the Gulf Islands are an extension of the San Juan Islands.
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Post by WettCoast on May 20, 2022 19:45:16 GMT -8
I would say many of WSF's routes serve commuters on the weekdays. On the weekends, routes like Edmonds-Kingston, and Mukilteo-Clinton are very full with weekend travelers. Port Townsend-Keystone sees some commercial traffic and a LOT of tourist traffic, as does Anacortes-San Juan Islands. Yes, our islands are called the San Juan Islands, even though geographically, it seems like an extension of the Gulf Islands. One might argue that geographically the Gulf Islands are an extension of the San Juan Islands. I think a good case could be made for renaming both groups of islands as the "Salish Islands" as they are really the same group, and they are all floating within the Salish Sea. As such they would become the US Salish Islands & the Canadian Salish Islands ...
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Post by 1foot2ships on May 23, 2022 18:05:23 GMT -8
BCF on this long weekend will a) have a major operational issue on one of it's major ships b) experience an IT/network/communications failure c) encounter severe bad weather d) have a big problem at one of their big4 terminals e) sail effortlessly as on most daysThe Panthers from the Sunshine State have just been sent home. As I type this at 1902, many will not come home as the last three sailings from the Sunshine Coast have now sold out. "Lightning" did not strike, so I'll just go ahead and answer my own poll above: good job BCF, no major (or minor) incidents these three days. Your turn in 4, WSF!
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