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Post by Mike C on Apr 3, 2020 22:19:26 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? Well Scott, our boss, has us all working from home these days, and those TV streaming services aren’t going to pay for themselves... though it seems my WCF paycheque got lost in the mail again...
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Post by roeco on Apr 4, 2020 13:20:10 GMT -8
I guess the Commercial only sailing of Queen of Alberni would it mean she would need less crew with obviously a lot less people as trucks usually hold only 1 person? And the Alberni is perfect for this role too.
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Post by chinook2 on Apr 4, 2020 13:42:50 GMT -8
happened to be at Swartz for the arrival of the SoBC at 8 30 this morning in my capacity as essential worker for Yellow Cab of Victoria. Vessel approached Berth 2 via Coburne passage, and made a slow but precise berthing. Looked like a medium sized vehicle load, number of Foot passengers..... about 10.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 4, 2020 19:52:39 GMT -8
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Post by Departure Bay on Apr 4, 2020 21:30:51 GMT -8
The two ferries parked at Departure Bay sounded their whistles tonight at 7 pm -joining in a very noisy tribute to healthcare workers in Nanaimo. It was lovely to hear!
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Post by Dane on Apr 4, 2020 21:44:59 GMT -8
Eek. Unfortunately I'm way too busy because of covid-19 for long thoughtful posts, but I really think this is an interesting (read as: bad) position by the Union. Collective Agreements are so important, I'm a big union guy and depend on mine frequently. However, these are not normal times. At all. BC Ferries is just completely unsustainable without radical, negative change. I wonder if there was any significant time warning to lay offs though? Such as two paid weeks prior to end of employment? That would make it more reasonable to me. Depending on where this all settles later, as in the more general pandemic, I am curious to see how this plays out, presumably it'll make it to court. I feel for everyone touched by layoffs which is a lot of people in so many roles. I hope we can work together to make this as short as nature will allow us too.
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Post by dofd on Apr 4, 2020 22:36:06 GMT -8
As a business owner, we (and my business partner) looked at the hit weeks ago. As a storage company with limited access to your stuff. How do we make it happen, staff works at home. If someone needs to get into their (that spelling always seems wrong ...) locker, call ahead and we will open up and move it to the front.
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Post by dofd on Apr 4, 2020 22:52:23 GMT -8
By the way we have not had a customer contact in a while, but the few we had before, I took. Why, because I am was (and still am) bored as fudge.
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Post by hwy19man on Apr 5, 2020 13:59:43 GMT -8
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Post by Departure Bay on Apr 5, 2020 19:56:26 GMT -8
Whichever one of you guys tweeted about the Coastal Renaissance sounding its whistle at 7 pm - thanks. While taking that video, if you listened hard enough, you would have heard me outside ringing my cowbell.
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Post by 1foot2ships on Apr 6, 2020 11:21:44 GMT -8
i was on route1 yd. a photo speaks a thousand word right? i have lots to share. would those be best in this thread or somewhere else?
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 6, 2020 20:11:13 GMT -8
If COVID-19 threat in BC goes down back to low by May will BC Ferries bring back normal service on route 1, 3 and 30; also will route 2 return?
Also if COVID 19 mandate stay until June, will BC Ferries cut back summer service on major routes?
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Post by Mike on Apr 6, 2020 20:37:49 GMT -8
If COVID-19 threat in BC goes down back to low by May will BC Ferries bring back normal service on route 1, 3 and 30; also will route 2 return? Also if COVID 19 mandate stay until June, will BC Ferries cut back summer service on major routes? I think the answers to both your questions are fairly obvious...
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Post by northwesterner on Apr 6, 2020 21:34:39 GMT -8
If COVID-19 threat in BC goes down back to low by May will BC Ferries bring back normal service on route 1, 3 and 30; also will route 2 return? Also if COVID 19 mandate stay until June, will BC Ferries cut back summer service on major routes? I think the answers to both your questions are fairly obvious... I actually don't think it's so obvious... The desire of the leadership of BC Ferries and the provincial government may not align with Transport Canada, who has done a lot of the regulatory rule making. What does "normal service" look like in June? Is it the normal schedule, with full capacity? Normal schedule with "social distancing" in the cabins and reduced passenger loads? There's a lot of different ways this could play out.
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Post by Mike on Apr 6, 2020 22:06:45 GMT -8
I think the answers to both your questions are fairly obvious... I actually don't think it's so obvious... The desire of the leadership of BC Ferries and the provincial government may not align with Transport Canada, who has done a lot of the regulatory rule making. What does "normal service" look like in June? Is it the normal schedule, with full capacity? Normal schedule with "social distancing" in the cabins and reduced passenger loads? There's a lot of different ways this could play out. The obvious answer was that BC Ferries is going to be playing it by ear. They indicated as much when they announced the service cuts. If the COVID-19 situation improves, and traffic returns to normal levels, then yes something closer to regular service will resume. I seriously doubt that'll happen by next month though. Things won't truly be back to "normal" until they have a vaccine, and a majority of the population is inoculated.
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Post by dofd on Apr 6, 2020 23:16:24 GMT -8
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-ontario-quebec-covid-19-1.5524056Take it all with a grain of salt. We all know the numbers are a lot higher. It seems like the common cold. But people with spring allergies, like my self (itchy eyes) wake up some mornings with the "is it" question. I think BC Ferries will run pass the decrease, but yes day by day. We are for a long haul, even if life slowly gets back together.
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Post by 1foot2ships on Apr 7, 2020 11:40:38 GMT -8
ill ask again: i took the ferry on sunday and i have a crapload of photos to share (~60). im thinking that is way too much so maybe 12 is better? i dont want to dominate this thread so would it be appropriate to post em here or somewhere else?
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Post by Kahloke on Apr 7, 2020 11:53:46 GMT -8
ill ask again: i took the ferry on sunday and i have a crapload of photos to share (~60). im thinking that is way too much so maybe 12 is better? i dont want to dominate this thread so would it be appropriate to post em here or somewhere else? We would appreciate it if you just kept it to a few pics - your absolute best ones - no more than 6, please. And, yes, you can post them in this thread if they demonstrate how COVID is impacting the ferries, like the general emptiness on the ferries, for example. I trust your trip was not just for a fun outing, but necessary for you to get where you needed to go?
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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 7, 2020 20:06:53 GMT -8
So with the Queen of Alberni doing Cargo sailings how are they going to enforce that?? I am sure the odd person would show up for a Queen of Alberni sailing. Same with screening passengers now how would they go about that? I guess before they enter the terminal at the toll booth and also before they enter the foot passenger building I would assume??
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Post by Dane on Apr 7, 2020 20:29:58 GMT -8
^ yes, at the terminal booths for whatever your method. No idea about Route 30... I rode next to Swartz Bay today. Totally dead. I've been meaning to look at sailing utilization in current conditions but keep forgetting??
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Apr 8, 2020 10:15:00 GMT -8
So with the Queen of Alberni doing Cargo sailings how are they going to enforce that?? I am sure the odd person would show up for a Queen of Alberni sailing. Same with screening passengers now how would they go about that? I guess before they enter the terminal at the toll booth and also before they enter the foot passenger building I would assume?? I think cargo implies groceries, mail and various forms of other freight that might travel by ferry. Don't think they would casually allow a regular car onto a sailing like that, but I could be wrong about how strict they plan to enforce it.
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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 9, 2020 18:43:42 GMT -8
It should just be commercial traffic only on all routes to the island! Ferries from Tsawwassen are almost full today! Really would be nice if people listened to health authorities as I’m sure it’s not all essential travel!
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Apr 9, 2020 20:28:36 GMT -8
I was expecting worse with the new Gulf Island schedules. We already knew that Tsawwassen- Long Harbour service was going to be suspended, but that's understandable, since it allows BC Ferries to close that terminal, and there is still a mainland connection to Salt Spring via a transfer at Swartz Bay.
Mayne, Pender, and Galiano still maintain two ferries a day to Tsawwassen, and four a day to Swartz Bay. I had thought maybe the mainland connection was going to one a day, and perhaps three, or maybe even just two to Swartz Bay. Saturna is cut to three a day to Swartz, and still transferring to Tsawwassen. And, they're using a Salish vessel, and the 'Cumberland, not the Mayne Queen, so capacity is decent.
I'm wondering if changes are coming to other island routes. Huge reductions in traffic, and a lot of islanders actually wanting less service right now, so this is clearly a developing story.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Apr 9, 2020 20:32:14 GMT -8
It should just be commercial traffic only on all routes to the island! Ferries from Tsawwassen are almost full today! Really would be nice if people listened to health authorities as I’m sure it’s not all essential travel! I noticed the increase in traffic, too. Didn't check in to see if 9pm overloaded from Tsawwassen. Obviously, easter doesn't mean an increase in 'essential' travel...
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Post by Dane on Apr 9, 2020 21:02:18 GMT -8
I'm sure there's rampant abuse of "essential travel" today... I removed some tags where people put WCFF on social media that were clearly acting outside the guidance of our Provincial Health Officer.
However, every day the ferries on the mainline (that's all I've watched, for 3 days) have been quite full - I actually wonder if BC Ferries has cut too thin.
There's a lot of essential travel we never think about in out day to day lives, and I'm not particularly surprised by these heavy load factors. And this essential travel isn't all large trucks.
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