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Post by Departure Bay on Apr 3, 2020 10:51:05 GMT -8
The suspension of service from Departure Bay makes me so sad. It was comforting to watch the ferries continue to come and go. But it's absolutely the right thing to do.
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 3, 2020 10:51:56 GMT -8
Today's announcement is indeed 'historical' in the annals of BCFS operations. Other than several 'blockades' of traffic for various reasons in years past, there has never been a cessation of sailings on route 2! On another note, I'm wondering if BCFS has been informed as to the situation at the Damen shipyards overseas as to whether or not their workforce has been curtailed for the duration of this pandemic? In the meantime, let us all hunker down and do our part to beat this nasty viral pandemic into the ground. Stay safe everyone.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 3, 2020 11:00:17 GMT -8
The suspension of service from Departure Bay makes me so sad. It was comforting to watch the ferries continue to come and go. But it's absolutely the right thing to do. Just replying to say how refreshing your balanced comment is. Thanks !
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Apr 3, 2020 11:05:33 GMT -8
I wasn't expecting the cuts to be this drastic. I would think it will make the remaining sailings very crowded... hope they have a vigilant program for attending to the washroom facilities.
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Post by Departure Bay on Apr 3, 2020 11:47:25 GMT -8
The suspension of service from Departure Bay makes me so sad. It was comforting to watch the ferries continue to come and go. But it's absolutely the right thing to do. Just replying to say how refreshing your balanced comment is. Thanks ! Thanks. We have only lived here a couple of years now but the ferries have become such a part of our lives. I'm also really sad for the staff who are being laid off. But it only makes sense. This way BC Ferries can also close a terminal and not have to worry about keeping them clean and safe. When was the last time that Departure Bay had no ferry service for an extended period of time? The only large ships entering the bay are going to be the gas barges (once or twice a day) so I wonder what impact this will have on the bay's ecology.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 3, 2020 11:52:25 GMT -8
I am wonder if the ships can handle this demand while keeping physically distance because these could be 100% fell which ain’t that good for physical distances. I wonder how soon BC Ferries may addition sailings to this schedule to keep everyone safe while maintaining reasonable balance service?
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Post by futureferrydriver on Apr 3, 2020 12:12:31 GMT -8
I am wonder if the ships can handle this demand while keeping physically distance because these could be 100% fell which ain’t that good for physical distances. I wonder how soon BC Ferries may addition sailings to this schedule to keep everyone safe while maintaining reasonable balance service? This won't be an issue. We've seen people pushing back against service reductions in transportation of all forms (public transit, planes, and now ferries) with this argument, but the reality is that demand is falling even quicker than service levels. The traffic levels are lower overall (foot pax and vehicles), more people are travelling in cars if they have the option (to avoid bus and public spaces) and those people are staying in their cars, as are truckers and everyone on deck 2. The passenger areas of the ferries will be emptier than ever, despite service cuts.
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Post by timmyc on Apr 3, 2020 12:29:35 GMT -8
It's a 50% reduction in service levels in a time where there's an 80% drop in traffic (as noted in the link), so they're unlikely to be full.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 3, 2020 12:37:45 GMT -8
I am wonder if the ships can handle this demand while keeping physically distance because these could be 100% fell which ain’t that good for physical distances. I wonder how soon BC Ferries may addition sailings to this schedule to keep everyone safe while maintaining reasonable balance service? This won't be an issue. We've seen people pushing back against service reductions in transportation of all forms (public transit, planes, and now ferries) with this argument, but the reality is that demand is falling even quicker than service levels. The traffic levels are lower overall (foot pax and vehicles), more people are travelling in cars if they have the option (to avoid bus and public spaces) and those people are staying in their cars, as are truckers and everyone on deck 2. The passenger areas of the ferries will be emptier than ever, despite service cuts. Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay route has been temporary axed which means that route 1 and route 30 need to feel that void while also servicing there passengers while also maintaining physical distracting. Some public transit authority have reduce service and need to to re-add service because of overcrowding.
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Apr 3, 2020 12:42:40 GMT -8
This won't be an issue. We've seen people pushing back against service reductions in transportation of all forms (public transit, planes, and now ferries) with this argument, but the reality is that demand is falling even quicker than service levels. The traffic levels are lower overall (foot pax and vehicles), more people are travelling in cars if they have the option (to avoid bus and public spaces) and those people are staying in their cars, as are truckers and everyone on deck 2. The passenger areas of the ferries will be emptier than ever, despite service cuts. Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay route has been temporary axed which means that route 1 and route 30 need to feel that void while also servicing there passengers while also maintaining physical distracting. Some public transit authority have reduce service and need to to re-add service because of overcrowding. Well, regardless of what happens, they cannot cut service entirely to an island that has only ferry connections. So, there will always be a ferry for those who need it, obviously.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 3, 2020 12:50:39 GMT -8
Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay route has been temporary axed which means that route 1 and route 30 need to feel that void while also servicing there passengers while also maintaining physical distracting. Some public transit authority have reduce service and need to to re-add service because of overcrowding. Well, regardless of what happens, they cannot cut service entirely to an island that has only ferry connections. So, there will always be a ferry for those who need it, obviously. True but I hope BC Ferries response to fast to additional sailings just case ferries are full through out the day.
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Koastal Karl
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Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 3, 2020 13:00:24 GMT -8
how come they dident keep one boat for route 2 for the public then just have the commercial boat for route 30?? Also curious to why they dident use just one boat for route 1?? Looks with that schedule each Spirit is doing a shift!
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Post by Mike C on Apr 3, 2020 13:16:07 GMT -8
how cone they dident keep one boat for route 2 for the public then just have the commercial boat for route 30?? Also curious to why they dident use just one boat for route 1?? Looks with that schedule each Spirit is doing a shift! I don’t know what cone you’re referring to, but I expect temporarily eliminating Route 2 helps consolidate crews and terminal staff at Duke Point.
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
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Post by Nick on Apr 3, 2020 13:22:04 GMT -8
how cone they dident keep one boat for route 2 for the public then just have the commercial boat for route 30?? Also curious to why they dident use just one boat for route 1?? Looks with that schedule each Spirit is doing a shift! Likely a few things at play. Shutting route 2 completely allows Departure Bay to be closed, eliminating operational cost. Horseshoe Bay only has to contend with Bowen Island and Sunshine Coast traffic, which will reduce operational costs as well.
I imagine they are using the reduced schedule to do maintenance/warranty work to both Spirits while they have reduced operational hours. Engineering work doesn't stop. Also, spreading out the hours across all the machinery keeps their maintenance schedules on track.
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Apr 3, 2020 13:58:33 GMT -8
how cone they dident keep one boat for route 2 for the public then just have the commercial boat for route 30?? Also curious to why they dident use just one boat for route 1?? Looks with that schedule each Spirit is doing a shift! Likely a few things at play. Shutting route 2 completely allows Departure Bay to be closed, eliminating operational cost. Horseshoe Bay only has to contend with Bowen Island and Sunshine Coast traffic, which will reduce operational costs as well.
I imagine they are using the reduced schedule to do maintenance/warranty work to both Spirits while they have reduced operational hours. Engineering work doesn't stop. Also, spreading out the hours across all the machinery keeps their maintenance schedules on track.
Also I believe the Queen of Oak Bay is also having engine issues.... so just another reason to postpone a fix until its actually necessary (or just to give them dedicated time to fix it without major impacts).
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
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Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 3, 2020 15:22:55 GMT -8
So it looks like the Inspiration will be the public boat taking passengers on route 30 on her normal schedule and the Queen of Alberni is doing Cargo only Monday to Friday sailings. It also looks like according to the schedule that the SOBC is doing morning shift and the SOVI is doing the afternoon shift on route 1. I also heard on the video BC Ferries posted that they are closing Long Harbor and the route 9 Tsawwassen to Gulf Island boat is gonna be running out of Swartz Bay. It should be interesting to see that schedule. So I wonder how that is gonna work??
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Apr 3, 2020 15:32:22 GMT -8
So it looks like the Inspiration will be the public boat taking passengers on route 30 on her normal schedule and the Queen of Alberni is doing Cargo only Monday to Friday sailings. It also looks like according to the schedule that the SOBC is doing morning shift and the SOVI is doing the afternoon shift on route 1. I also heard on the video BC Ferries posted that they are closing Long Harbor and the route 9 Tsawwassen to Gulf Island boat is gonna be running out of Swartz Bay. It should be interesting to see that schedule. So I wonder how that is gonna work?? They've yet to make announcements about SGI sailings for Routes 5 & 9 but that does sound kind of interesting. Wish we could go try out these "fun" new service ideas . Safety first everyone!
*announcement about 5&9 schedules was made AFTER this post - see below for info*
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Post by Cascadian Transport on Apr 3, 2020 16:16:33 GMT -8
They've yet to make announcements about SGI sailings for Routes 5 & 9 but that does sound kind of interesting. Mark Collins mentioned it, among other things, in his latest address. (Which can be found H E R E, for those of you who have not yet seen it)
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Apr 3, 2020 17:08:33 GMT -8
I'd like to suggest again that we have at least one thread dedicated to the effects of the pandemic on ferry operations. I doubt that there's any danger now of weird posts, and I know that some time down the road I'm going to want to see this period chronicled, with all the news and posts in one place. It is most definitely a story unto itself.
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Post by futureferrydriver on Apr 3, 2020 17:28:10 GMT -8
how come they dident keep one boat for route 2 for the public then just have the commercial boat for route 30?? Also curious to why they dident use just one boat for route 1?? Looks with that schedule each Spirit is doing a shift! Each boat getting one shift balances the layoff between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay crew. SoVI is Swartz based so they’re at least keeping some workers. SoBC is the same thing for Tsawwassen. Seems fairer than keeping twice as many employees on one side, that’s my guess as to why.
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Nick
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Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
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Post by Nick on Apr 3, 2020 19:00:18 GMT -8
I'd like to suggest again that we have at least one thread dedicated to the effects of the pandemic on ferry operations. I doubt that there's any danger now of weird posts, and I know that some time down the road I'm going to want to see this period chronicled, with all the news and posts in one place. It is most definitely a story unto itself. Agreed. This is unprecedented in BCF history. I don't think the previous thread should have been locked, but that's not my call.
I was doing the math, and while we do still have approximately double the carrying capacity on route 1, this is the first time since 1960 that route 1 has had less than 2 boat service for any amount of time.
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Post by Dane on Apr 3, 2020 21:22:25 GMT -8
I am pretty curious to see how Route 1 does. This is a highly unscientific observation but they've been reporting pretty consistent 40% -50% deck loads on CBC for sailings in the last two weeks. While that gives no indication of load types, it makes me wonder if we may end up with some really long one sailing waits. Hopefully this is the right balance of offering service to keep essentials moving and not much else. Such an uncomfortable reality.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Apr 3, 2020 21:32:58 GMT -8
I am pretty curious to see how Route 1 does. This is a highly unscientific observation but they've been reporting pretty consistent 40% -50% deck loads on CBC for sailings in the last two weeks. While that gives no indication of load types, it makes me wonder if we may end up with some really long one sailing waits. Hopefully this is the right balance of offering service to keep essentials moving and not much else. Such an uncomfortable reality. I wonder about that, too. At least Mark Collins did say that service levels could be adjusted going forward, so this isn't written in stone. What surprises me most is the six hour gap in service from Tsawwassen, from the 11am sailing to the 5pm. We're almost back to the Canadian Pacific schedule in 1959.
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Post by Mike C on Apr 3, 2020 21:59:52 GMT -8
Hi everyone, as a result of some member feedback and the COVID-19 subject generating 28 new posts in the BCF Service Notices thread today alone, I’ve begun moving COVID-related discussions into this thread. Please use this thread for ongoing discussions on this topic, and we will reserve the general service notices thread for exactly that.
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Apr 3, 2020 22:06:10 GMT -8
Hi everyone, as a result of some member feedback and the COVID-19 subject generating 28 new posts in the BCF Service Notices thread today alone, I’ve begun moving COVID-related discussions into this thread. Please use this thread for ongoing discussions on this topic, and we will reserve the general service notices thread for exactly that. Much appreciated, Mike. I hesitated to repeat my suggestion because I knew that I was asking Forum staff to offer their time when they have other stuff going on in their lives. But, wait a minute. That's what we pay you guys for, right?
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