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Post by Scott on Mar 27, 2007 15:10:22 GMT -8
It's true that BC Ferries is a private company, but it's not the same as HarbourLynx. BC Ferries is still publicly owned and publicly regulated and is basically an essential service/a marine highway. Harbourlink/Island Sealink is none of these, and it's a more costly way of travelling. Why should anyone travel free on this service? The most I could understand is maybe a 12 dollar discount, just to even the playing field.
Landlocked mentioned that travellers who fly to the Island or go as walk-ons on the ferries don't use their cars but use public transit etc. That's partly true, but if you spend much time at Departure Bay, you'll know that the vast vast majority of walk-ons get picked up by friends/family in cars. I've never seen a line-up at the Departure Bay bus stop. Horseshoe Bay isn't so bad.. they've got good bus service and there's often a long lineup for the bus there.
Parking in Nanaimo and Vancouver (not as important due to the good public transit connections) is available but it's not free or anywhere close to free;)
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Post by landlocked on Mar 27, 2007 19:27:32 GMT -8
John,
I am not in any way suggesting that private companies should receive subsidies. What I am saying however, is that the government should not compete with private enterprise.
Lets get it straight here - BCFS was turned into a private company for a number of reasons, first of which is to stop the debate "ad nauseum" about the size of the waiting room on the Bowen Queen, or other trivial matters that should be handled by the operating company. Another reason is to allow the company to operate like it should without interference by the government. For example, if you approached a grade five math class and asked "i have 35 ships in my fleet and they last for about 35 years, how often should I build a new ship?" The answer is obvious, but when overseen by the government, the company was beholden to the whims of the government purse. For that reason, the change to an independant authority was right for the good of the ferry company.
With respect to the TAP and seniors subsidies, there are almost 400,000 passengers a year that the government pays to travel for free. If Island Sealink could get 350,000 pax/yr the company would show a profit, but the government, in addition to the original 110Million/year subsidy will give their company another 15 million/year in additional subsidies, and do so at the peril of the private operators because they won't even consider giving them ANY customers under those programs. It is simply not right.
In order for BCFS to change their ways and improve service they need to compete like Air Canada had to compete with the WestJet. COMPETITION IS GOOD!!! Why can't we have fair and equal competition in the ferry business??
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Post by Political Incorrectness on Mar 27, 2007 19:49:38 GMT -8
Competition for ferry buisness in BC is completely impractical at this point and time. That's why. Impractical due to the number of people on Van Isle and number travelled.
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Post by Scott on Mar 27, 2007 21:51:16 GMT -8
Competition for ferry buisness in BC is completely impractical at this point and time. That's why. Impractical due to the number of people on Van Isle and number travelled. That's what I used to think as well, but it was pointed out to me that, at least for the major routes, there is more movement between Vancouver Island and the Mainland than there is across the English Channel where there is plenty of competition. I'm still not sure I like the idea of competition, but if BC Ferries is going to be run like a private company rather than a public service, then maybe competition is a good idea.
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Post by queenofcowichan on May 4, 2007 16:16:59 GMT -8
Update May 04 After Leaving Nanaimo Shipyards I walked along the seawalk into Downtown. The Mv Island Sealink Now has her name painted on each of her hulls. Even the Liferings now have her name painted on them.
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Post by NMcKay on May 7, 2007 8:04:09 GMT -8
get any pics?
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Post by NMcKay on May 7, 2007 9:14:01 GMT -8
i looked ad the harbourlynx.com homepage, and i thought you guys would like a little easter egg the "Island Sealink" has Harbourlynx written backwards on the wheelhouse. its from the sign on the float. i just thought this was a little bit funny.
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Post by Dane on May 7, 2007 17:27:03 GMT -8
I don't like private highways, so I don't like private ferries. To me, they're identical. In some ways, running a ferry service is even cheaper.
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 16, 2007 17:39:39 GMT -8
A-Channel News reported this evening that the Island SeaLink plans to revive the fast-ferry are "on hold".
Apparently the issue is that they need to find more investors to lose their money (my editorial comment), in order to meet the rising operating costs for this service.
Mr. Life is apparently going to speak with the Media tomorrow (May 17th).
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Post by Jcachristian on May 16, 2007 17:58:33 GMT -8
Solution?: Regular fare about 17 dollars per sailing, Get more people onboard who can afford it and fill more seats. OF course this service is doomed and all Passenger only Fast cats between Nanaimo and Vancouver because they charge to damn much. I for one would realy consider riding the Island Sealink, Harbourlynx, and Royal Sealink Express ships if they were more in competition with BC Ferries. My Point is that if only 100 people are carried on a sailing at $27.00 each they company makes about $2,700. Now lets just assume the fare would be $17.00, you may get another 100 people riding for a total of 200. Now the total revenue for the company would be $3,400, Thats a increase of $700. The point is you can not charge a rediculous amount of money for your service when the competition is a lot cheaper.
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Post by Hardy on May 16, 2007 18:45:46 GMT -8
I believe that this is called simple economics and is part of any basic business plan. I am a small business operator in the moving and delivery industry, and I have to price my services competitively, yet high enough that I can meet my costs and turn a little profit too. There's a fine line to be walked, but that is the way it is with any business.
However, it seems that there are some people that cannot get this relatively simple concept straight -- and those are the ones that are either doomed to failure or dragging their investors into a bottomless money-pit.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on May 17, 2007 20:47:48 GMT -8
Foot ferry plan is sunkFinancial problems put hold on relaunch of serviceA Victoria businessman has put his plan to revive passenger-only ferry service between downtown Nanaimo and downtown Vancouver on hold, citing financial concerns. Ed Life said until he can find additional investors or partners, the SeaLink ferry will remain docked. "The delay in the launch of the SeaLink is due to increased costs associated with the service," Life said in a news release. "We have developed a viable business plan but the increased costs mean I must look for investors or partners." Life did not return phone calls on Wednesday but will hold a press conference today in Nanaimo. In his news release, Life said that he believes it is in the best interest of his business to postpone the launch of the ferry service, rather than start it only to find out the operation can't be financially sustained. "Our company is sound, the vessel is in good working order," Life said. "What we need is the opportunity to regroup around the increased financial realities." Escalating costs associated with the service would have to be passed on to customers, he said. "It is my belief that the consumer would be reluctant to pay those increased costs," Life said. Life bought the ferry last fall. The ship was formerly owned by Nanaimo Harbour Links Corp., and the vessel sailed under the name HarbourLynx. That service ended in February 2006, after an engine breakdown. The company that operated the ferry later filed for bankruptcy. Life has replaced the broken engine, refurbished the boat and negotiated lease agreements with the ports of Nanaimo and Vancouver. Life hoped to launch the service this weekend. Valerie Wilson, The Daily News Published: Thursday, May 17, 2007
VWilson@nanaimodailynews.com
© The Daily News (Nanaimo) 2007*For the direct link to this story, click here.
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Post by NMcKay on May 21, 2007 15:37:48 GMT -8
Get Landlocked on here.....he can tell you "I Told you so"
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Post by Retrovision on May 30, 2007 18:40:38 GMT -8
Today I spotted Prince of Whales whale watching boat Ocean Magic testing out the former Harbourlynx berth at the SeaBus terminal that would have been used by Island Sealink. I seem to remember that this same company fairly recently ran a brief period of cross Strait of Georia service, seemingly to test the market only. I'll post once I get a pic or two edited that I took at Waterfront Station downtown. ( www.simpsonmarinedesign.com/oceanmagic.htm )
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Post by Retrovision on May 30, 2007 20:38:46 GMT -8
Today I spotted Prince of Whales whale watching boat Ocean Magic testing out the former Harbourlynx berth at the SeaBus terminal that would have been used by Island Sealink. I seem to remember that this same company fairly recently ran a brief period of cross Strait of Georia service, seemingly to test the market only. I'll post once I get a pic or two edited that I took at Waterfront Station downtown. ( www.simpsonmarinedesign.com/oceanmagic.htm ) A photo of Prince of Whales Trours' Ocean Magic today where the Harbourlynx, etc., used to dock in Vancouver at the SeaBus terminal east of Canada Place
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Post by kylefossett on May 30, 2007 20:50:41 GMT -8
yes prince of whales does do a vic-van trip. this is geared more towards the whale watching tourist. the trip is 4hrs one way and will route depending on where the orcas are. not geared to the same market as what harbourlynx(sealink) was going after in the nanaimo-vancouver run
***edit*** this is the vessel from the story on the news last week about the US coast guard firing live rounds in canadian waters near a pod of orcas
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Post by Retrovision on May 30, 2007 20:54:31 GMT -8
yes prince of whales does do a vic-van trip. this is geared more towards the whale watching tourist. the trip is 4hrs one way and will route depending on where the orcas are. not geared to the same market as what harbourlynx(sealink) was going after in the nanaimo-vancouver run ***edit*** this is the vessel from the story on the news last week about the US coast guard firing live rounds in canadian waters near a pod of orcas Thanks for the heads up. I was under the impression that the service was just an experiment and ended several months ago. ...And there it is: www.princeofwhales.com/vancouver_tours.html#vantovic www.princeofwhales.com/victoria_tours.html#victovan
Late Edit:Why of course, I should have first thought to myself before typing: "Why would a perfectly viable operation, such as PW's based out of Victoria and Vancouver, get so royally in the hole by overextending their fledgling operation to yet another centre so far beyond their means that they can't climb out?"
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Post by queenofcowichan on Jun 5, 2007 18:21:06 GMT -8
June 05, 2007 3:40pm For your info: To my suprise while watching the mv Quinsam and Queen of Coquitlam this afternoon (3:40pm) I saw the Island Sealink round Gallow's Point Inbound to Nanaimo. I imagine she was on Sea trails as no Passengers were aboard. This is the first time I have seen her at sea with my own eyes since she was in service as Harbourlynx.
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Post by Retrovision on Jun 5, 2007 20:45:57 GMT -8
June 05, 2007 3:40pm For your info: To my suprise while watching the mv Quinsam and Queen of Coquitlam this afternoon (3:40pm) I saw the Island Sealink round Gallow's Point Inbound to Nanaimo. I imagine she was on Sea trails as no Passengers were aboard. This is the first time I have seen her at sea with my own eyes since she was in service as Harbourlynx. That's great news, thanks for the update, qocowichan.
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Post by NMcKay on Jun 6, 2007 14:48:29 GMT -8
yeah. but she wont be going anywhere major for a long time...
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Post by landlocked on Jun 27, 2007 19:29:02 GMT -8
ISLAND SEALINK / HARBOURLYNX SOLD TO NORWEIGAN INTERESTS
Rumour on the waterfront today in Nanaimo (as presented by a current working crew member), is that the 'Island Sealink' has been sold to a Norweigan company. Ed Life would neither deny or confirm the statement made by one of his crew. All he would say is that it was always a possibility that the ship would be sold. No confirmation concerning whether the ship would head to Norway or would be operated in Canada.
Would suspect that we may well have seen the last of her....
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Post by Refvik on Jun 30, 2007 4:59:13 GMT -8
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Post by Retrovision on Jun 30, 2007 8:04:41 GMT -8
Thank you, stranger.
As many of us know, Fjellstrand is a high profile comapny in the world, from Norway, if only for its revolutionary cat designs and use of lightweight materials. I look forward to their participation in the market.
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Kam
Voyager
Posts: 926
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Post by Kam on Jul 4, 2007 9:11:09 GMT -8
Just herd an short news clip on the radio with Ed Life..
He confirms that the ship has been sold, but wont say to who.
He also says he still wants to restart the service, but is seeking a more practical and efficient vessel.
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Post by Past Commuter on Jul 7, 2007 15:37:45 GMT -8
I keep watching these posts for something positive but I don't see much this ship.
Someone asked about whether commuters would return to the shuip if a service reformed. By in large the answer to that is a resounding no. Ed Life's involvement left few with any trust in an operation like this. Commuter need reliability and a decent price. Neither was to be had in the new operation.
As for Ed Life, does anyone trust him? I doubt it. He has played the City of Nanaimo for a year in promising to develop the service here. In that time he has avoided paying harbour fees ($30-50 k). He had people working to get the ship ready for sale. If he was serious about the service he would have reached agreement with the Port of Vancouver on that facility.
With any luck, Ed Life will go back to Victoria and not come back here again. He has no experience in running a ferry and is not the right investor for the job.
No foot ferry service is better than one run by someone that has no business experience.
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