Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Apr 9, 2020 22:02:58 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. How many people expected them to cut route two entirely? And six hours between sailings from Tsawwassen (11am to 5pm) is really extreme. It constantly strikes me, though, that we have no playbook for where we are right now. I would imagine that everything is adjustable as we find our way forward.
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Post by dofd on Apr 10, 2020 0:54:14 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. How many people expected them to cut route two entirely? And six hours between sailings from Tsawwassen (11am to 5pm) is really extreme. So weekend Easter warriors . So I go from my condo to my parents house (Yaletown Vancouver) . I have seen one person in my building (and that was for trash). Drive to my parents house (stay outsite), and keep distance. But the amount of ferry traffic, looking at roof racks is high, lots of ferry people.
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Post by dofd on Apr 10, 2020 1:04:36 GMT -8
And they are not stopping in |Tsawwassen or the mall, I am hitting that Starbucks. The drive thru's in Vancouver can be long and slow.
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Post by hwy19man on Apr 10, 2020 5:48:07 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. "Cargo sailings limit the number of passengers on board to 85, and give priority loading to commercial vehicles transporting goods. Essential service workers are loaded on a first come, first served basis after commercial vehicles. If space is available after commercial vehicles and essential workers have been loaded, other traffic may be loaded at the discretion of the terminal."
www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=7385
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Post by northwesterner on Apr 10, 2020 12:42:57 GMT -8
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. "Cargo sailings limit the number of passengers on board to 85, and give priority loading to commercial vehicles transporting goods. Essential service workers are loaded on a first come, first served basis after commercial vehicles. If space is available after commercial vehicles and essential workers have been loaded, other traffic may be loaded at the discretion of the terminal."
www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=7385Is 85 the number of passengers they've determined they can fit in the Queen of Alberni's cabin while meeting social distancing guidelines? Or is this a staffing level on the license?
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Apr 10, 2020 14:27:32 GMT -8
"Cargo sailings limit the number of passengers on board to 85, and give priority loading to commercial vehicles transporting goods. Essential service workers are loaded on a first come, first served basis after commercial vehicles. If space is available after commercial vehicles and essential workers have been loaded, other traffic may be loaded at the discretion of the terminal."
www.bcferries.com/bcfservicenotice?id=7385 Thanks for that clarification.
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Post by 1foot2ships on Apr 10, 2020 14:33:44 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? ive got bigger priorities anyways, but ive also been sitting on this for a few days now. i know full well that im biting the hand that feeds me (kahloke being a mod) and i know full well a few others have endorsed his reply with thumbs up, but screw it, i still feel this way: im kinda offended i am being ask to justify being on the ferry.
the reason why i took those photographs was to share the experience i had with the majority of you who wont get to personally see for yourself what's happening onboard right now.
oh, and yes, i saw the news today about the uptick in recreation traffic for the long wknd, but steadfast, im ticked for being questioned. sorry, not sorry.
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Post by Kahloke on Apr 10, 2020 15:10:41 GMT -8
ive got bigger priorities anyways, but ive also been sitting on this for a few days now. i know full well that im biting the hand that feeds me (kahloke being a mod) and i know full well a few others have endorsed his reply with thumbs up, but screw it, i still feel this way: im kinda offended i am being ask to justify being on the ferry. the reason why i took those photographs was to share the experience i had with the majority of you who wont get to personally see for yourself what's happening onboard right now. oh, and yes, i saw the news today about the uptick in recreation traffic for the long wknd, but steadfast, im ticked for being questioned. sorry, not sorry. These are definitely some strange times we're living in. Who would have thought, a few months ago, that we would ever have to justify a ferry trip? Certainly not I. But, WCFF is promoting a moratorium on discretionary ferry travel to respect the shelter-in-place mandates our respective governments have enacted for the safety and well-being of everyone. If my staying home helps flatten the COVID 19 curve and prevent at-risk people from getting this disease, then I am more than willing to do my part. That's what we're trying to achieve here, and why I asked the question. Obviously, you can do what you please, and if your trip was legit, as in necessary, then great. I told you earlier that you can post a few photos from your ferry outing, and you still can. That hasn't changed. And, yes, according to the news, quite a lot of people are not adhering to the shelter-in-place mandates. I guess that's their choice; yours and mine, too, for that matter, but with the current state of things, the official position of this forum is to uphold the government and health officials mandates, and not condone "fun" ferry trips. Trust me, this is hard on all of us. I would love nothing more than to be going out on a ferry for pleasure, but that can't happen right now.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Apr 10, 2020 19:07:31 GMT -8
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? ive got bigger priorities anyways, but ive also been sitting on this for a few days now. i know full well that im biting the hand that feeds me (kahloke being a mod) and i know full well a few others have endorsed his reply with thumbs up, but screw it, i still feel this way: im kinda offended i am being ask to justify being on the ferry.
the reason why i took those photographs was to share the experience i had with the majority of you who wont get to personally see for yourself what's happening onboard right now.
oh, and yes, i saw the news today about the uptick in recreation traffic for the long wknd, but steadfast, im ticked for being questioned. sorry, not sorry.
Bit petulant, I'd say. You're "ticked", and, "sorry, not sorry"? We're all being asked to consider our actions and movements, for good reason. The province asked people not to do recreational trips, and with regard to ferries, the forum's moderators concurred. You asked about posting what you said was a "crapload" of photos from a recent trip. You didn't say if it was essential, or a fan trip, and the reply was, I thought, really polite... reminding everyone of the forum's policy during this health crisis and suggesting you just post a few. You taking offense at what was a really reasonable response is, I guess, your issue to deal with.
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Post by hwy19man on Apr 12, 2020 12:19:57 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Apr 12, 2020 20:10:01 GMT -8
Thanks for posting that link. There was a reflexive gnashing of teeth and rending of garments on Friday over pictures of ferry lineups, with people cursing those oblivious types who were callously sailing off to Easter vacations, but I think the numbers show that relatively speaking, hardly anyone travelled. And I'm guessing that a good proportion of those who did, had some reason to.
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Post by Dane on Apr 14, 2020 14:16:40 GMT -8
Two sailings per day added Wednesday and Thursday for Route 1 this week, cargo only to a Max of 85 pax.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Apr 14, 2020 20:49:39 GMT -8
Two sailings per day added Wednesday and Thursday for Route 1 this week, cargo only to a Max of 85 pax. ...and there is this story: globalnews.ca/news/6816995/bc-ferries-layoff-notices-federal-wage-subsidy-coronavirus/I wonder if this has something to do with the addition of the cargo sailings, and if we might see a slight increase in the schedule. 1400 employees are not laid off after all, but no indication as yet on whether they will actually be put to work. There doesn't seem to be a need, given the 92% drop in major route traffic over the Easter weekend.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 15, 2020 21:14:21 GMT -8
Once COVID 19 pandemic is over in British Columbia. Will BC Ferries have new policies in place to help reduce spread of disease on board vessels?
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Apr 15, 2020 21:45:53 GMT -8
Once COVID 19 pandemic is over in British Columbia. Will BC Ferries have new policies in place to help reduce spread of disease on board vessels? Won't we all? Somehow I think everyone will come away from this with slightly different attitudes toward hygiene and unnecessary contact with people or things. I hope that good friends won't stop hugging when they meet, but do we need casual hand shakes? There may be other things we can rethink. 9-11 caused permanent changes in air travel, and other areas. It's a bit depressing to think of people being driven further apart by terrorists or viruses. We are all social animals. I wonder more about the permanent effect on land based transit than I do about ferries. People crammed onto commuter trains and buses, everyone holding onto stanchions and sitting in seats many others have used in the same day. Hopefully we can get past this and back to our normal, slightly dangerous lives in contact with the rest of our species. What a time.
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Post by dofd on Apr 15, 2020 22:08:55 GMT -8
I would think there would be changes, but like everything before, we will get back into our day to day transit. Ferries and transit will have new rules, not much they can do about daily travel.
I have not seen the Translinks loads, but I drive to my business every few days from downtown, if I drive Cambie, Oak or Granville, there are people wait at stops both ways.
Hope everyone is well, super bored here. But on a side note, it is getting loud at 7pm in Vancouver.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 18, 2020 19:45:03 GMT -8
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Post by Departure Bay on Apr 19, 2020 5:47:42 GMT -8
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Post by Dane on Apr 19, 2020 12:22:57 GMT -8
2 additional sailings (1 round trip) all week on Route 1 for cargo, 84 pax cap. Wouldn't be surprised to see this sustained, having had to book a few trips on Friday past, for travel this week coming, it was quite difficult.
Terrible time for the SoVI to be out, that's a lot of deck space gone. At the time I'm writing we have seen a few photos, but really hard to make out the extent of damage. Hopefully we see the SoVI back sooner rather than later.
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Koastal Karl
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Been on every BC Ferry now!!!!!
Posts: 7,747
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Post by Koastal Karl on Apr 19, 2020 19:54:12 GMT -8
I wonder if you drive onboard are you allowed up on the passenger decks or would they block it off?? What if someone had to use the washrooms?? I wonder if the outside decks would be closed?? I heard somewhere that only certain passenger areas are open!
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Post by Starsteward on Apr 22, 2020 11:08:00 GMT -8
The bail-out funds requested by BCFS from Provincial and Federal governments has run afoul of BCFS's hybrid corporate structure? Half 'Provincial', half 'Public'. Huh? Will be interesting to see if and where the Feds line up on this request, if they haven't turned BCFS down already.
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Apr 22, 2020 11:59:04 GMT -8
2 additional sailings (1 round trip) all week on Route 1 for cargo, 84 pax cap. Wouldn't be surprised to see this sustained, having had to book a few trips on Friday past, for travel this week coming, it was quite difficult. Terrible time for the SoVI to be out, that's a lot of deck space gone. At the time I'm writing we have seen a few photos, but really hard to make out the extent of damage. Hopefully we see the SoVI back sooner rather than later. Lots of cargo sailings up and coming. 3PM from Vancouver and 5PM from Victoria on Mondays-Thursdays through May 28 with a bunch of extra days in there as well.
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Post by yak on Apr 22, 2020 23:03:58 GMT -8
I wonder if you drive onboard are you allowed up on the passenger decks or would they block it off?? What if someone had to use the washrooms?? I wonder if the outside decks would be closed?? I heard somewhere that only certain passenger areas are open! You are strongly encouraged to remain in your vehicle. Certain passenger areas may remain open for practical (bathroom) or safety (evacuation) reasons. See "Measures to reduce transmission risk" from Transport Canada's Ship Safety Bulletin 12/2020.
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Post by futureferrydriver on Apr 23, 2020 11:42:45 GMT -8
Looking at reservations for an upcoming (and essential...) move and BC Ferries has commercial reservations available for Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen on the Salish Raven with 3 hour trip lengths (6:20am - 9:15am and 3:45pm - 6:40pm). I knew they had been using the SGI milk run for extra capacity on route 1 but its interesting to see it reservable like this. This is for May 2nd specifically, but presumably other days as well.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Apr 28, 2020 20:31:43 GMT -8
BC Ferries has additional sailing on route 1 starting May 4 until June 30 with one schedule change taking place. May 4 to 10 new sailing from Swartz Bay new 7 am cargo only sailing from May 4 to 8, and 5 pm Monday to Friday is revised for anyone can board. Revised cargo only sailing from Tsawwassen from May 4 to 8 and an additional sailing which revised from cargo only to anyone can travel on is the 3 pm which is Monday to Friday. May 11 to June 30 new sailings 7 am and 5 pm Monday to Friday from Swartz Bay and 9 am and 3 pm Monday to Friday from Tsawwassen. Why is reduce service staying longer on route 1? Are these schedules actually real? I am asking because BC Ferries has not put out anything about this changes except on Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay schedule page. www.bcferries.com/schedules/mainland/tssw-current.php?scheduleSelect=sch04042001.html
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