Vancouver Sun : Monday, August 30,
2010VANCOUVER - Transport Canada's decision to ban the media
from attending a float plane safety workshop has been criticized sharply from within the industry. "I feel the press should attend," insisted Joel Eilertsen, the owner of Air Cab, based in Coal Harbour
near Port Hardy. "There's nothing to be concerned about, nothing to hide. "It
creates a suspicious attitude. I think [the news media] should be able to attend. You should be there to hear the comments
from everybody." Transport Canada is inviting 55 float plane
operators from around B.C. to attend a two-day workshop to discuss ways to make the industry safer. Ottawa says the Oct. 6-7 workshop in Vancouver will address issues such as "safety record and trends, safety
culture, customers' expectations, protection of passengers, and egress techniques." The workshop follows the deaths of 22 people in four commercial float plane accidents over the past two years on
the B.C. coast, including six who died in a Seair Seaplanes crash off Saturna Island on Nov. 29. Martin Eley, director-general of civil aviation in Ottawa, confirmed the decision to "limit the workshop to
representatives of the regulator, industry, and safety advocates to facilitate productive regulatory and technical discussions."
It was Eley who shelved improvements in float plane safety in a letter to a superior
in May 2008, saying: "In a subsequent discussion you and I agreed that in the absence of a clear way forward, this file
would be put on hold in deference to other civil aviation priorities. Any further work on this file would need to be evaluated
in the context of our current organization and our current priorities." Among
the more contentious issues expected to be debated is whether Transport Canada should mandate a federal transportation safety
board recommendation that life vests be worn on float-plane flights. Five men
escaped an MJM Air crash off Quadra Island in 2005, only to drown because they weren't wearing life jackets and didn't
grab them from the plane before swimming free. Among other float-plane safety developments,
Saltspring Air on Aug. 18 installed the first emergency pop-out windows on a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver seaplane, making it
easier for passengers to escape in the event of a crash in water. In July, The Vancouver
Sun reported that B.C.'s major float plane companies were not complying with a Transport Canada request that new float-plane
safety brochures provided by Ottawa be distributed to all passengers. On Friday,
The Sun flew aboard a Seair float plane between Richmond and Nanaimo. Seair did have
the Transport Canada pamphlets on a side counter, but not at the check-in counter, where they'd be more obvious. No one
distributed them to passengers or even mentioned they existed, which fell short of Transport Canada's request to industry.
Inside the Seair office in Nanaimo, the Transport Canada pamphlets were positioned
front and centre, at the check-in counter. On the return flight with Harbour Air, there
were no pamphlets at all at the check-in counter or waiting area in Nanaimo. An employee said they were out and expecting
more. The pamphlets were on the front counter of the airline's Richmond office.
Nanaimo Daily News : August 23, 2010John Villeneuve glances at his watch as he sits in one of the new bus shelters at the new Prideaux
Street exchange. Villeneuve said he's happy with the improvements that Nanaimo
Regional Transit has made but that he would like to see more improvements. "I
think that they have done a good job so far but I think more can be done to help the buses run on time," said Villeneuve,
who uses the transit system daily. As he sits on a bench at the new bus shelter, Villeneuve said he'd like to see all
bus stops be as nice as the few bus shelters he uses. "This is great here
and the ones at the college and Country Club as well," he said. Villeneuve
should be happy to learn that Dennis Trudeau, the man who runs the transit system for the Regional District of Nanaimo,
has many more improvements planned and some are designed to make the buses run quicker. The Regional District of Nanaimo recently launched the beginning of a phased expansion by adding an additional 24,5000
hours of service for conventional bus travel by the end of this year and a further 65,900 annual hours of service by 2018.
The initial focus will be on south-end routes, especially those utilized by Vancouver
Island University students and additional routes, buses and hours are on their way for the third-largest system operated by
B.C. Transit. "Our increased ridership conforms to B.C. Transit's plans
for Nanaimo, which wants us to double transit ridership by 2020," said Trudeau. There
are other ways to expand the service, but not all of them are easy to achieve, said Trudeau. The regional transit system hopes
to develop a university pass program that could add at least $1.5 million to the $12-million budget, but student union members
at Vancouver Island University have refused, unless the system is expanded first. Everyone,
not just students, wants better transit service, even Trudeau. It's one
of the reasons the RDN board of directors recently approved a $600,000 partnership with VIU to move the bus exchange from
Fifth Street to Fourth Street. "We will be able to run six buses to the
new exchange as opposed to the four we run now," said Trudeau. However,
Trudeau admits to being frustrated by the lack of a university pass program. The
school's student union refuses to send the issue to a referendum. Trudeau said the RDN offered a $60 per-semester pass,
which is much cheaper than the $158.50 students pay for a semester pass. "There
is a bit of disappointment with VIU," he said. "We're the only university in B.C. without a U-pass and I don't
understand it." Nanaimo has the third-largest system operated by B.C. Transit.
Victoria clocks the most hours at about 700,000, followed by Kelowna at 170,000 hours. As part of its plans to double ridership, regional transit , will expand its fleet of regular buses from 42 to 85.
The system operates about 100,000 hours in a year, a figure that is expected to jump to 200,000. The goal is to eliminate
the need for two- or three-car families. Already, the RDN has expanded much of
the south-end service, primarily the No. 5 and No. 6 routes that service Fairview
and Harewood neighbourhoods. Doubling the buses on these routes has led to an average of 40 passengers on the bus every hour.
B.C. Transit considers 20-plus passengers a successful run. Besides conventional
buses, the transit system operates a fleet of 16 HandDART vehicles. Transit has added the No. 90 Intercity Connector, which
travels between B.C. Ferries Departure Bay terminal and Qualicum Beach. The buses get people to the ferry terminal as early
as 8 a.m. and has stops throughout Nanaimo and Parksville. Among other changes people can expect from Nanaimo Regional Transit is the addition of London-style
double-decker buses. "This year, we are looking at building a double decker
wash and mechanical bay so that we can do our own mechanical work and body work on the buses, in order to keep the costs down,"
Trudeau said. He said the regional board believes the double deckers will be
another attraction for tourists in the Nanaimo region. Following a slight drop in 2006-07, the number of riders on the Nanaimo Regional Transit system is approaching 2.5
million. Officials at regional transit believe the improvements they are making have lead to an increase in ridership.
Interest
in establishing a foot-ferry service between Nanaimo and Vancouver sparked after the 2010 Winter Olympics but fizzled in the
spring, says Mayor John Ruttan. Two companies were looking at a downtown-to-downtown
service after B.C. Ferries saw a rush of passengers during the Games, said Ruttan. But he hasn't heard from the businesses
since. The HarbourLynx craft, funded by a group of B.C. investors, operated
for more than a year on the Nanaimo-Vancouver route before engine failure and financial troubles brought the service to a
halt in early 2006. Ruttan still thinks a passenger-only ferry service is viable,
but the city will only back a company that has the means and track-record to pull such a feat off. "I'm still guardedly optimistic we're going eventually to get that service started. I kind of thought
that with the economy slowly improving, we would get stronger and stronger interest," said Ruttan. The mayor said he was "hesitant" to look at a subsidy for such an operation because of
potential legal issues and concerns that the operator could become reliant on the taxpayer's dime to survive. The city will only support a "proper ferry operator" with a solid business plan and the
proper investment to make the endeavour work, said Ruttan. He also thinks the
operator would need more than one vessel to ensure continued service if break downs occur. "Really we need a reliable service or it's not worth running at all," said Ruttan. But providing a steady service will be one of the biggest challenges for any would-be passenger
ferry operators, said Ihab Shaker, owner of Coastal Link Ferries. Shaker had some discussions with the city last fall, but
said he couldn't come up with the initial investment needed to get a passenger service off the ground. He said the foot-ferry industry is a tough business. His own passenger ferry, which travels between
Bowen Island, Vancouver and others routes, currently isn't running due to "financial reasons." Shaker said it's difficult for a small company to provide a regular schedule similar to
B.C. Ferries. However, he still thinks a Nanaimo-Vancouver foot-ferry route has potential.
Cowichan Valley Citizen : August 20, 2010It's nearly time for back to school and the Cowichan Valley School District's transportation
team have been busy this summer in a total re-vamp of school bus schedules. An
extensive guide will be published in the Aug. 25 edition of the Cowichan Valley Citizen. While everyone from students to bus drivers has been calling for years for improvements in the school bus system
there has been little agreement on how best to achieve that goal. This week,
the district announced that it's made changes saying, "in an effort to keep as many dollars as possible in the classroom,"
that buses will start in September to stay on "better traveled roads." The result? "Students will need to make their way to the bus stop,"
the district says. All bus routes have been changed, the number of bus stop locations
reduced and changes have been made to the pick-up and drop-off times for students. Eligibility
for busing has also been changed, so, to confirm whether or not your child has a seat on the bus, parents are asked to contact
their school starting Monday, Aug. 30. In recent years, trustees and parents
have wrangled over such transportation problems as: fees for busing in general and to schools of choice and the problems that
face children who must walk along or across busy highways and rural roads. Efforts
were made to start the changes last September but it didn't work well. Many
parents were not able to find out which bus their children were to catch and when so the Board of Education decided to make
sure the news got out sooner and more widely this year.
Cowichan Valley Citizen : August 20, 2010Ladysmith's one-vehicle transit system is a hit with users a year after it started.
But it's still a far cry from paying its own way. With Ladysmith marking one year operating a rubber-tired trolley this month, it's been used by more than
2,000 people a month.
The service runs completely on the honour system. But acting mayor Duck Paterson is pleased with the unique transportation system serving residents in the
town on the 49th Parallel. "We're just three weeks shy of a year and we had our
25,000th rider," Paterson said. Donations "aren't racking up as much as
riders are, but it's coming along and it's been well-received." Those donations are averaging $750 a month, or
about $9,000 since the service started. When the service began, the town budgeted $120,000 for annual operating costs. The
trolley had considerable support in the community. Together, businesses, service clubs
and residents raised $206,000, more than enough to pay the $178,000 cost of the trolley. The service has been operating with
$200,000 in federal gas tax money. When it started last year, Mayor
Rob Hutchins predicted it would require a tax increase to keep it running once that money is spent, likely next year.
The bus makes a 40-kilometre, seven-stop circuit through town every 100 minutes. It runs from
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The town is looking at other sources to keep its transit system
running, including advertising revenues. Nanaimo Regional Transit also uses ad revenues to shore up costs.
"None of them pay for themselves," Paterson said.
Saltspring Air said Monday it is poised
to make Canadian history with the installation of emergency pop-out windows on a de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver seaplane, thereby
making it easier for passengers to escape in the event of a crash in water.
The newly designed pop-out windows will be installed Wednesday at Viking Air, the Sidney-based company that is the "type
certificate holder" for the Beaver aircraft, having acquired the design from Bombardier in 2006. Viking Air had promised to design a pop-out window -- for voluntary installation by seaplane operators, in the absence
of any Transport Canada requirement -- after the Nov. 29 crash of a Richmond-based Seair Seaplanes Beaver in Lyall Harbour
off Saturna Island. Six passengers, including a mother and her infant daughter, perished
after being unable to escape the plane before it sank in 14 metres of water. The pilot and one other passenger survived with
serious injuries. Bill Yearwood, regional manager of the federal transportation safety
board in Richmond, applauded industry's response to that tragedy. "Excellent,
that's good news," he said. "It's nice to see the airlines, the float operators, taking the initiative as
soon as they (pop-out windows) are available." Saltspring Air spokesman
David Davies said the company is proud to be part of "Canada’s first commercial installation of emergency exit
pop-out windows in a float plane...." A total of four company seaplanes will eventually be fitted, he added. Based out of Ganges, Saltspring Air offers scheduled seaplane service to the Gulf Islands, Vancouver
International Airport, Vancouver Harbour, Patricia Bay near Victoria, and Maple Bay on Vancouver Island, as well as scenic
and charter flights.
The Vancouver Sun published a six-part investigative
series on float-plane safety starting May 29 that focussed on the federal government's long-standing failure to implement
float-plane safety suggestions of the transportation safety board. The series, Broken
Wings, also addressed the mandatory use of life jackets, egress training and egress improvements such as pop-out windows,
as well as satellite-based tracking systems that can help search-and-rescue crews pinpoint the site of a crash and thereby
save lives and resources. Just two days into The Sun's series, then-Transport Minister
John Baird said the time for study is over and ordered his staff to immediately undertake a series of initiatives aimed at
improving float plane safety. Those initiatives included: an updated float plane safety
awareness campaign for passengers and commercial operators; strengthening of the investigation and enforcement actions against
operators who are found not to be following existing regulations and standards; undertaking a full review with industry stakeholders, safety advocates, affected communities, and other jurisdictions, of the potential
measures to improve float plane safety, including a full review of aircraft design standards related to float plane issues;
investigating the possibility of implementing improvements in egress from submerged float planes, such as the operation of
emergency exits, pop-out windows, wearing of life vests by passengers and egress training for commercial crews.
Nanaimo Daily News : Friday, August 13, 2010Nanaimo-area bus riders may soon see an increase in their fares unless Joe Stanhope inspires
a revolt with other government officials over B.C. Transit's decision to increase management fees. Stanhope, the chairman of the Regional District of Nanaimo, is furious B.C. Transit has hiked management
fees approximately 100% in the last two years. "I and others
will be confronting the Minister of Transportation about this increase at the UBCM (Union of British Columbia Municipalities)
convention at the end of September and I know there are a number of other local governments who feel this is unjust as well."
The fees regional transit pays to the Crown corporation are used for planning the
expansion of the system and to help purchase new buses, said Dennis Trudeau, RDN transit manager. "It's
up to the (RDN) board to decide how we can pay for this but they don't have many options." One
of the only ways the RDN can raise funds to cover the new management fees is to raise fares, said Stanhope. "And that flies in the face of B.C. Transit's insistence that we try to double our ridership by
2015." He said increase in the fare for Nanaimo-area taxpayers
would be the only other way to raise money. Trudeau agreed that raising fares does not
help the transit system increase ridership. There are three sources
of funding that pay for transit: fares charged to riders, property taxes and provincial funding. Each
of the sources covers one-third of the local system's $11-million budget. "If
the province is taking more money from us through the Crown corporation, we have only two places to make up the difference
to run the system," said Stanhope. "The only way we can pay for this increase
is by increasing fares or asking property owners to pay more." Another frustration
Stanhope and the rest of the RDN board of directors have is B.C. Transit informed them of the latest increase after the board
had submitted its budget for 2010.
American charter bus companies that provided much of the transportation
for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics say they are owed millions of dollars by the Vancouver Organizing Committee.
The companies say they are caught in a dispute between Vanoc and its transportation contractor, Florida-based Gameday Management
Services, over additional expenses Vanoc has denied. But Vanoc said Friday it has paid everything it owes to Gameday and that
any funds owed are between the management company and its sub-contractor charter companies. And to make matters worse,
more than $6 million that Vanoc paid to Gameday to settle accounts for U.S.-based charter bus companies was seized by the
Canada Revenue Agency for withholding taxes. As a result, there are dozens of small "mom and pop" bus companies
scattered across the United States that remain unpaid and are in jeopardy of going out of business, according to Ron Wall,
the operations manager for International Trailways, which subcontracted services to Gameday. "We've been caught
in a mess not of our making," said Wall. "There are a lot of little companies that are hurting because of this."
Vanoc executive vice-president Terry Wright said in a statement he does not know if Gameday has forwarded on substantial
payments Vanoc made to the company. And he said Gameday engaged in practices of which Vanoc was either not aware or had "specifically
disapproved." "Throughout the period of Gameday's services, Vanoc was advised that only three U.S.-based
bus suppliers had been engaged. We have since learned that large portions of the fleets delivered by the three identified
carriers were sourced from myriad subcontractors," he said. "To the extent any such subcontractor has not been paid,
it should look to the company that engaged it for payment, and that entity should in turn look to Gameday to satisfy its claim."
He said when Vanoc reconciled accounts after the Games, it found Gameday submitted inflated bills. "Vanoc determined
that most of the increased costs were due to billing errors, unapproved and/or un-communicated charges and charges that Vanoc
had specifically disapproved," he said. Wright said Gameday was told it "would be responsible [out of their
considerable management fee] for satisfying committed payments to bus providers that had not been approved by and/or communicated
to Vanoc." Calls to Gameday were not returned. The company has a long reputation of providing amalgamated
transportation services for major events such as NFL Super Bowls. Vanoc would not say how much it paid Gameday, but it acknowledged
that the vast majority of its $52.3-million transportation budget went to Gameday's services. The rest was used for a
fleet of General Motors vehicles used to ferry athletes, officials and dignitaries. Wall said Gameday turned to International
Trailways to provide the bulk of U.S. motorcoaches needed for the Games. In turn, International Trailways hired 503 coaches
from 57 companies in 37 states, including nearly 1,000 drivers. At the same time, Gameday hired Florida-based Edison Transportation
to provide 300 transit buses, and Lewis Stages of Salt Lake City for an unspecified number of coaches. It also hired Canadian
companies that provided another 250 coaches. Wall said International Trailways was paid about 75 per cent of what is
owed but is still out $3 million and can't pay the balance of what it owes its sub-contractors until it gets paid from
Gameday or Vanoc.
Wright said Vanoc directly paid the Canadian charter bus operators who were not subject
to withholding taxes and tried to work directly with Gameday to resolve the outstanding amounts to U.S. suppliers. Peter
Pantuso, president of the powerful American Bus Association, wrote directly to Vanoc CEO John Furlong saying the dispute threatens
the livelihood of many small operators. "Please understand the urgency of this matter, as most of the U.S.-based
companies involved are not corporate conglomerates, but are rather mom and pop, family-owned small businesses that are operating
on some of the thinnest margins after a down global travel economy," Pantuso wrote to Furlong. "Some operators have
already told us that their businesses are in jeopardy if payments from Vanoc are not received soon." Pantuso on
Friday said the issue could end up in a Congressional hearing in Washington this fall if the matter isn't resolved because
it will directly affect the ability of transportation companies in many states to continue operations. Two years ago, one of the UK's largest Transportation Management companies, Fraser
Eagle, went into liquidation leaving countless small coach operators owed for work they had undertaken on behalf
of the company.
It’s certainly not the lasting image
Victoria city council wants visitors to take with them. But U.S. customs officers screening
Clipper and Coho passengers headed the U.S. could soon be working out of a trailer. The
prefabricated 219-square-metre building is to be built on the Bellevile Street terminal property to house the U.S. Customs
and Border Security personnel who are being relocated as the Provincial Capital Commission seismically upgrades their current
digs. The portable, which is to be torn down within 10 years, doesn’t meet
city design guidelines, will have no public washroom, is not considered appropriate for the long term, yet was reluctantly
recommended for approval by members of the city’s planning and land use committee today. The alternative, they were told, would have been to stop the international ferry traffic and the millions of dollars
in tourism that brings.. Committee member Coun. Lynn Hunter called the plan “regrettable.”
“This will be an embarrassment,” she said. Mayor Dean Fortin said the commitment to knock down the temporary structure in 10 years’ time “is the
canary in the coal mine” signalling that something will have to be done to improve the gateway within a decade. “To a certain extent we can almost start the watch now,” he said. “We need to renew that terminal. Start the plans to get something very solid that says in the future we’re
going to have a decent terminal.” “Unfortunately this will send the message
that this is the best we can do,” said Coun. Charlayne Thornton-Joe, a committee member. Council members already often hear that for a capital city the Belleville terminal “is a disgrace.” The approval still needs to be ratified by council. Nanaimo
Daily News : Monday, July 19, 2010A longtime dream of rail enthusiasts in Nanaimo and the mid-Island region appears to be about to come true. Plans to relocate the E&N Rail service's main terminus from Victoria to Nanaimo by the spring
of 2011, and have Dayliner passenger trains travel south from Nanaimo early each morning, have also excited the local business
community. Currently, the E&N Rail's Dayliner passenger train leaves Victoria
each morning and arrives in Nanaimo around 10:30 a.m., where passengers can disembark or board the train bound for Courtenay.
But passengers cannot travel on the train to Victoria and back in a single day. Islanders
have consistently complained the train is going in the wrong direction and not attracting potential commuter traffic into
Victoria, as well as not tapping into its huge potential for train tourism and transporting freight. The idea of changing the schedule and the direction of the train from Nanaimo surfaced last year. The proposal by
the Island Corridor Foundation (which owns the railway) to also relocate the rail service's terminus to Nanaimo at the
same time is the first priority in a new planning strategy to upgrade the entire 289-kilometre rail corridor to allow for
more commuter and freight traffic. Graham Bruce, executive director of the ICF (formed
in 2005 by a coalition of 13 First Nations and local governments to revitalize the railway system) said that while the cost
of the overall multi-phased railway upgrade and revitalization project is expected to exceed $100 million, the first phase
is expected to cost about $400,000. He said Via Rail, which runs the Dayliner service,
is expected to invest the money into new and upgraded commuter cars, which will also include staff and a small food and beverage
service for the first time. "We feel that if we can get the first piece of the
plan actually up and running, the rest will come together as we go and we can more successfully knock on the doors of provincial
and federal funding agencies for money for the other aspects of the overall project," Bruce said. The news of the timetable for changing the train schedule and moving the terminus to Nanaimo comes
after the release last week of a new study, prepared by the ICF and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, that
evaluated the economic potential of the rail line and identified future opportunities. While
the study concluded current volumes of freight and passengers do not support significant infrastructure investment at this
time, it looked at the costs and viability of upgrading the entire rail line for freight and passenger travel and included
a market assessment for freight, passengers, excursion and commuter rail demand, as well as an evaluation of the condition
of the rail line's infrastructure. Based on the study's findings, the ICF decided
on an incremental approach to rebuilding the railway, beginning with the move to Nanaimo next year. The idea would be to operate two trains daily out of Nanaimo. The first might leave at 6 a.m. for the capital region,
then turn around for its trip to Courtenay. A second train could leave Nanaimo
shortly after that, carrying another load of people to the capital region and then operate back and forth between Victoria's
downtown and Langford over the course of the day before heading back to Nanaimo. While
Nanaimo railway passengers will access the trains from the refurbished train station on Selby Street once the $2.4-million
heritage restoration project at the site is completed, expected to coincide with the new schedule change in the spring, the
new terminus for maintenance and cleaning of the cars will be located in the Nanaimo rail yard downtown. However, Bruce said that increasing the speed of the train to allow for people living in Nanaimo to get to work by
9 a.m. in the capital region likely won't occur in the first phase of the plan due to the need for improvements to the
track, but it's anticipated that it will become possible when the much-needed track upgrades are completed in later phases
of the project once funding is secured.
For Steve Woolford, the plans are
long overdue. Woolford, who works with a food service company, travels by car to Victoria
three times a week and Duncan twice a week on business. He said if the "timing of the trains and the prices were right"
he would definitely consider using the service. "I've never been on the Dayliner
myself because it was never going in the right direction for my purposes," he said Tuesday morning while waiting for
his 16-year-old daughter to arrive from Victoria on the train. "I think taking
the train would be a lot better than driving, particularly in the winter months when the Malahat becomes treacherous."
Joanne Drumond agreed that changes to the "crappy train system" currently
in place have been needed for a long time. "I'd love to take my granddaughter
on day trips on the train, but we'd have no way to get back on the same day," she said while waiting for the train. Andre Sullivan, president of the Young Professionals of Nanaimo, which spearheaded the successful
fundraising campaign to restore the Selby Street station, said plans to make the city the "hub" of the new train
system on the Island and changing the rail schedule next year is "great news." "We
knew these changes were possible and that's why the YPN has done so much work restoring the Selby Street station,"
he said. "I expect we'll see a real boost to the city's economy as a result."
Public transit study results expected in early fall
Gabriola Sounder : Monday,
July 19 2010
A study looking at the feasibility
of public transportation on Gabriola, begun in January of 2010, is expected to be completed by early fall, according to Joanna
Morton, Public Relations Manager for BC Transit. She explained the study is being done at the request of the Regional District
of Nanaimo, with funding provided from RDN and BC Transit.
The review will look at, “current transportation
services, area (population, demographics, housing starts, seniors, hospitals, education, tourism, employers), travel demand.
The study will provide several service options. “The objective of the study is to determine the feasibility of transit
for Gabriola Island.” As far as consultation from the public, Joanna said there has already been input received, but
did not elaborate on how that was done.
In May 2009, the ad hoc Gabriola public transportation group, released
it’s own study, which after workshops and public consultation had recommended two bus routes for Gabriola. Joanna said
the BC Transit study is looking at every option or potential system, and nothing has been set in stone as to how a public
transportation system on Gabriola could work - whether it would be one bus, multiple routes or a taxi sharing program. As
far as where bus stops might be, how many, those kinds of details were set aside by the ad hoc Gabriola committee until the
overall type of system was decided on. “Operations would be one of the next steps should a recommendation move forward,”
Joanna said.
Nanaimo Daily News : Saturday, July 17, 2010B.C. Ferries CEO David Hahn said he won't budge on a policy to take ferry users' expired
balances on electronic swipe cards loaded with credits that guarantee a space on all but the most crowded ships. Frances Murray said she was shocked to learn, when boarding a ferry recently, that her card's
$700 balance had been taken by the Crown-owned company. Assured loading passes give
the bearer priority to board for travel between Duke Point and Tsawwassen, Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay or Tsawwassen and
Swartz Bay, but they come with conditions, which some users say are unfair and not clearly spelled out.
They expire after two years, and while the balance can be put toward a new pass good for six
months, the onus is on users to keep their accounts up to date. Those restrictions
have Nanaimo MLAs representing both sides of the legislature crying foul, but Hahn says he will not change B.C. Ferries policy.
Nor will Transportation Minister Shirley Bond get involved. Murray isn't
alone. When Nanaimo realtor Rob Borden read the Daily News account of her experience, he checked the status of his pass and
found out it was 15 days past the grace period. "I had no idea in the world these
things expired," Borden said. When he bought his, he said he was encouraged to register his card online to protect it
from theft. He didn't. Those who do register their cards get an e-mail message
warning them when it's about to expire and to take action so they don't lose their balance. "If registration is mandatory, they should do it when you buy it," Borden said. Hahn said the passes are sold under contract, clearly spelled out to customers, and B.C. Ferries will not change
the policy. "I know it sounds harsh but I think we have to be consistent in the
application of the rules," Hahn said. He said B.C. Ferries does not track how many customers the policy has affected.
Nanaimo NDP MLA Leonard Krog and Liberal Parksville-Qualicum MLA Ron Cantelon both
said they will write Bond about the problem. Bond could not be reached for comment,
but did issue a statement. "B.C. Ferries is an independent company, and as an
independent company it is responsible for setting its policies around prepaid fares and how that is communicated," Bond
said.
See the Island Transport Blog for comment on this article.
Cowichan Valley Citizen : Friday, July 16, 2010Good news for those 100-year-olds out there, your days of paying to ride local transit are over.
The Cowichan Valley Regional District's board of directors made it official on
Wednesday, July 14, voting unanimously for centenarians to receive a free pass good on the CVRD's handyDart and conventional
bus systems. The issue arose after it was learned the region's handyDart drivers
had been footing the bill for a 100-year-old woman to ride the bus. But
the move for free transit wasn't without discussion. "I would have to say
that I have an ulterior motive because I'm looking forward to reaching that age myself," said Dir. George Seymour
in support of the motion. Seymour said the move was benign and a nice gesture, adding,
"We're not likely to lose very much revenue." Dir. Klaus Kuhn wasn't
so sure about the financial implications. With his tongue firmly in cheek, he admitted
his fears about the idea. "I think this motion will just encourage our residents
to live longer, which will drain our social system so I have reservations about this." When the laughter subsided, the conversation turned serious.
Duncan
Mayor Phil Kent wondered if something "more practical" couldn't be done to reduce fares for all seniors. "I appreciate the sentiment tremendously and I think for those who reach that age it's
a pretty important thing," he said of free rides for 100-year-olds. "But I'd like to see us give a bit more
thought to it and maybe modify it in a way that's more practical to (more) people." North Cowichan Mayor Tom Walker agreed, noting the provincial government is implementing new rules for senior drivers,
which include being re-tested. He fears many will come to rely on transit once their cars are taken away. "For those who lose their licence because of age, number one, that is quite traumatic to be pulled off the road
like that, but maybe we could have a 50 per cent rate for them or something like that," he opined. "The number of seniors in the Cowichan Valley is higher than the provincial average and a lot of them are losing
their licences and the Valley is a spread-out place as opposed to Victoria or Vancouver," he said, so affordable bus
service will become more important. The matter has been referred back to the transit
committee for more discussion. "I don't want to profess to have the answer
but I think we should look at it," Walker said.
Cowichan Valley Citizen Editorial : July 14, 2010It's a chicken and egg problem. People will not take the train in any kind of numbers unless
there are upgrades to tracks and more convenient schedules. The argument for the province not being willing to shell out for
such improvements is that not enough people use the rail line.It needs to be looked at as an investment in our future. Which
is why we were disappointed in the announcement this week that the province will put no money at all into the E&N rail
line that winds a connecting thread from Victoria in the south to Courtenay in the north. The line is now owned by the Island
Corridor Foundation, whose goal is to turn the railway into the freight, passenger and tourist stalwart it should be. Canada as a whole is woefully behind most of the rest of the world in rail services. Where they
are building new trains and tracks to connect communities in a green and sustainable way, towns here have torn up their tracks
and converted their train stations to quaint-looking shops. In Victoria, the city is seriously considering cutting the rail
line short due to the expense of replacing the Johnson Street Bridge with tracks included. These actions seem like shortsighted
penny-pinching at the expense of our future. Have you ever sat in traffic headed
out of Victoria at rush hour? It's a pretty rhetorical question. Yet we will consider millions of dollars in highway construction
and improvements, year after year, and ignore the alternate solution sitting right in front of us. Would it take some work
to get people out of their cars and onto the train? Of course it would. We are creatures of habit. Is it worth the effort?
Absolutely. It's time for us to join the modern world and take advantage
of the resource we still possess. Small local projects are great, but won't do the job of making the line thrive in the
years to come. We need wholesale investment in tracks so that we can run faster trains. We need schedules that allow people
to take the train to work, or to shop in a convenient fashion. We need commitment, not lip service to the idea of greener
transit solutions. This should be a priority, not just to the local people in
towns along the rail line, but to our provincial and federal governments. It would be a shame to see the enthusiasm surrounding
the potential of the E&N line fizzle due to inaction. It should be more than clear to everyone that continuing with the
status quo won't do anything to advance the development of the Island's railway. We need everyone to hop on board.
Cowichan Valley Citizen : July
14, 2010Duncan Mayor Phil Kent is hopeful, despite an announcement
last weekend that the provincial government is not interested in pumping millions into the old E&N rail line, that enough
money will be found to at least guarantee a future for the line. He's been working
with the Island Corridor Foundation, a wide-ranging group from all up and down the rail line, which boasts former provincial
cabinet minister Graham Bruce as administrator. "It's been a tough toil
to get where we are with the corridor," Kent said."But, we've pulled the rabbit
out of the hat on a couple of occasions so we've got to hope we can continue to keep pulling the rabbit out of the hat
as we go forward." He's happy with the way the Foundation has
kept its eyes on the prize. "I think that in the long term on this corridor we
will be able to look back and say we were really thinking clearly when we maintained this as a transportation corridor and
made sure its integrity was intact and that we kept it operating as a functioning rail in the meantime while we wait for that
future to arrive," he said. The problem with funding the old line is that,
so far, not enough people are using it to justify millions of dollars in upgrades for a commuter rail service for Greater
Victoria, the B.C. government has concluded in a new study. The year-long government
review concluded that without a significant increase in freight and passenger traffic, it does not make sense to spend from
$40 million to $216 million on proposed track and train upgrades for the Island. The province said it won't be providing
any money for an upgrade. "Our study shows that the current volume of freight
and passengers on the E&N Rail line [does] not support provincial investment at this time," Transportation Minister
Shirley Bond said in a statement. Around 40,000 people a year board the daily
train between Victoria and Courtenay -- one of the lowest rates, per kilometre, of any short rail line in Canada, the study
said. "In simple terms, rail traffic needs to increase substantially to sustain
the ongoing operations and maintenance of the rail corridor," said the study, which cost $500,000. Local politicians, including Kent, have argued for years that more people would take the train if at least some of
the 289 kilometres of track was upgraded to provide faster and more convenient service to urban centres. The Foundation has worked hard to push the idea of an active rail corridor before the public so fundraising for its
upkeep and future is in the public eye.
Foundation executive director
Graham Bruce said Tuesday that he's upbeat about the possibilities for many different uses for the rail line. Plans are underway to swing the VIA rail passenger service around so runs originating from Nanaimo
and the Cowichan Valley can carry commuters south in a timely manner, he said. Bruce
said he'd also like to see some of the more than 800 Canadian Forces personnel who live north of the Malahat catch a train
to the gates of CFB Esquimalt every morning. Other shorter commuter runs are also under the microscope and as for freight,
hopes are high that connections can now be looked at to continent-wide networks.
Kent said he was just reviewing the details of the study but was also looking forward to seeing how areas of population
density can be dovetailed with service to increase the viability of the line."I
think one of the important parts of this is that it's important for the province to support this as a transportation link
for the long term," he said. "In the short term at this point there is not going to be any investment at this point
in time. But what's really important is that the corridor infrastructure at least be maintained to offer service."
Alberni Valley Times : Wednesday, July 14, 2010Vancouver Island is on the brink of getting a viable commuter train, though for now Port Alberni
isn't among the communities celebrating. The Island Corridor Foundation announced
this week that a daily morning commuter train could begin service from Nanaimo to Victoria in 2011. The service, although
still a 2.5-hour journey, would make it more feasible for residents up Island to work in the province's capital. It's
one step forward for the ICF's plans to make the Island's east coast as accessible by rail as possible. For now that
rail service is between Courtenay and Victoria, though Port Alberni is on the to-do list, said Judith Sayers, co-chair of
the ICF. "Without a dream or a vision, you're not going to get there,"
said Sayers, adding that she would prefer to travel by train.Mayor Ken McRae said Port
Alberni is still working to link with the east coast and is pinning its hopes on industry. He said he met with Western Forest
Products, Catalyst and the Port Alberni Port Authority to see what appetite there is for the railway. The capacity to carry
commercial goods by track to Nanaimo and the Mainland could well make Port Alberni the preferred destination for goods heading
to and from Asia. Shipping from Port Alberni could shave 1.5 days off the journey, McRae said. It's that efficiency that's also attractive for companies like Comox Joint Ventures. Its desire to truck
coal to Port Alberni is meeting community resistance, which rail could help overcome. If the tracks were used for commercial
goods, they'd also be adequate for passenger use. Not only would passenger service link Port Alberni with Courtenay and
Victoria, it would also link to Nanaimo's proposed cruise ship terminal. "My
thing has always been that once you get passenger trains, you can come from Victoria to Port Alberni, maybe stay overnight,
stay for a couple of nights, go to McLean's Mill, then take a boat down the Albenri Canal, maybe stay in Bamfield, Ucluelet
and then go onto Victoria," McRae said. "So it's like a circle route. That would be fantastic." But the branch line to Port Alberni requires an estimated $23 million in upgrades to make it usable,
said Graham Bruce, chair of the ICF. "That's something we can work on piece
by piece," he said. "The passenger service (from Nanaimo to Victoria) is not the end piece. It's a very early
starting piece."
Local politicians
have argued for years that more people would take the train if at least some of the 289 kilometres of track was upgraded to
provide faster and more convenient service to urban centres. But the study, which used
ridership models and population growth estimates to 2026, said upgrading the aging line would work only if more tourists took
the train, if density grew substantially along the rail corridor and if more businesses chose to ship by rail instead of truck.
The freight component is particularly important, the study said, because it would give
the railway a stable source of revenue. The government review also appeared to
slam the brakes on the idea of commuter rail for Greater Victoria. A 30-minute light rail system between Langford and Victoria
would require four to six new stations and a host of new train cars, and cost from $70 million to $166 million, the study
said. Because of high costs, ticket prices would need to be as much as $60. The region would do better to run a commuter train fewer than three times a day to slowly build
ridership, the study said. The E&N railway is owned by the Island Corridor
Foundation, a partnership of First Nations, 14 municipal governments and five regional governments. It had asked the province
to help support a $104-million upgrade of the track. The foundation withdrew that request
last November, and executive director Graham Bruce said he agrees with the government's conclusion that the railway is
best upgraded through small local projects that gradually increase use of the train. One
of the first steps will be to reverse the daily Via Rail run so it starts in Nanaimo and travels to Victoria, he said. Bruce said he'd also like to see some of the more than 800 Canadian Forces personnel who live
north of the Malahat catch a train to the gates of CFB Esquimalt every morning. If that's successful, the railway could
try commuter runs between Langford and Victoria to gauge demand, he said. The
government study was criticized by the Opposition NDP, which had promised $35 million toward the E&N in the 2009 provincial
election campaign. The province has ignored the rising demand for alternative transportation, said Maurine Karagianis, Esquimalt-Royal
Roads MLA. "All those people sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic to get in and out of the city every day, I'm sure
they'd like to see their tax dollars going into a solution here."
BC Ferries piloting free wireless internet
service
Victoria : 8 July 2010
BC Ferries will be piloting a free wireless Internet service on all ships servicing the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route, as well as at these two major terminals. The service will enable our customers to text, email and browse the Internet. The company just
launched the Wi-Fi pilot on the four vessels servicing the busiest route in the
fleet. Free wireless Internet is now available in the buffet, Seawest Lounge, as well as most
of the passenger lounges on the ships. In addition, Wi-Fi is also accessible to customers at the Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay terminals. “Customers have requested
Internet access and we are pleased to offer our passengers free Wi-Fi when they travel
with us,” said Geoff Dickson, BC Ferries’ Vice President of Catering and
Retail Operations. “Now the crossing can be more productive for business travellers
and for others just wanting to surf the Internet.” This service is currently
being tested on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route. BC Ferries looks forward to
expanding Internet on board the Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay and Tsawwassen
– Duke Point routes in the near future.
Nanaimo Daily News : Thursday, July 08, 2010
It took less than six months for the Young Professionals of Nanaimo to exceed their fundraising
goal of $391,000 to help restore Nanaimo's historic E&N train station. Andre
Sullivan, president of YPN, said the group has raised more than $410,000, with more money coming in for the project. "Some businesses have pledged money for the project and we've no doubt they will help the
project. The group has stopped raising funds because we need to take a bit of a break."
We could not be more pleased to make this announcement," said Sullivan.
"It has been a long push and a lot of hard work by many people to get here and we could not have done it without the
support of our community." The YPN had its sights set on $391,000 to cover the
shortfall for the $1.3-million first phase of the train station restoration. Work on
Phase 1 began in May and work will now proceed full steam ahead. Work should be complete
by the spring. Phase 1 of the project involves reinforcing the foundation of the building and repairing its exterior. Phase
2 will focus on the interior of the structure.
Who's paying for all this?
Gabriola Sounder Editorial : Monday, July 5 2010 If it weren’t for the customers the ferries would always be on time. Those customers, they’re
a downright pain in the rear end when it comes to making sure things happen on time. And imagine, occasionally, they’d
like to know, from time to time, what’s wrong with ‘their’ ferry and how much the latest modification is
going to cost.
And, coming this August, more modifications will be needed. That’s fine - no problem - few
would argue that efforts should be made to return the Quinsam to her formerly speedy self. But what’s the cost going
to be, and who’s going to pay it? Whatever the reason the engineers believe for the Quinsam’s slow rate of speed
- there’s going to be a cost to getting it done, and riders of the ferry will likely be the ones footing the bill, either
just on the Quinsam route or spread out amongst all the minor routes.
Being a private corporation, BCF does not,
currently, need to admit to its customers how much the solution will cost, and who will pay it. Were this any other corporation
spending $17 million on a project which had the kind of issues the Quinsam’s return has had, heads would be rolling
and the ship’s owner would be looking to have the refit company do the modifications for no extra cost. Instead, being
the one-owner corporation that BCF is, the repairs, refit, and modifications are likely all being done in-house, and the bill
will be passed on to those who always cover a cost increase with BCF.
Those pesky customers.
More detail in the two articles below.....
New ferry schedule could be permanent
Fare increase possible, BCF calculating overtime costs
Gabriola Sounder : Monday July 5, 2010
A lack of negative feedback, and a surplus of positive feedback, may mean
that BC Ferries will keep the current adjusted schedule for the MV Quinsam serving Gabriola. Gabriola Ferry Advisory Committee
Chair André Lemieux said, “It’s actually a very efficient schedule which everyone seems to enjoy. We’re
looking at the possibility of keeping that schedule.”
Rob Clarke, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer for BC Ferries, said, “I heard some extreme opposition to this schedule earlier tonight. It may not be that
everyone has the same perspective. “My understanding is that we are going to run this schedule throughout the summer
season and that we’ll revisit it and make sure, find out what people think of it and that’s what we’re going
to do. “There is a possibility the schedule could stay, we have to work out the costs.”
Rob explained
that the new adjusted schedule runs just outside the time contracted with the Provincial government, with it starting earlier
and ending later. André said, “The comments I’ve received were in high percentage of favour, nobody has
come to me saying they didn’t like it. But I am aware there could be a cost attached to it, which could mean an increase
in fare.” Rob said that if the schedule that is inherently hard to keep, as the previous schedule was, “you end
up with overtime costs that are hard to control. “With this new schedule, there are overtime costs involved, but it
is easier to predict. “And if we get the speed issue worked out and the vessel is able to run more efficiently, there
could be some fuel savings.”
Asked if there were any numbers on what the current schedule was costing in
terms of staff costs after being in place for a month already, Rob said he didn’t have any numbers available. André
asked Rob if there is an increase in cost, would that cost be put just on the Quinsam route, or spread out amongst all the
minor routes. Rob answered that if there is something done which saves money which does not change service, the savings do
not go just to the route which is saving money. “The reason the route group is put together the way it is is to share
the benefits and non-benefits costs. “We just spend $17 million on the Quinsam, but the cost is spread out across the
route spectrum.”
“What you’re asking for is an improvement. Why should people up and down the
coast pay for that if this route is the sole beneficiary? “We’re happy to put this in place, but the fares will
show it. “If what we’re talking about here is a little cost, or not so much of a cost, a few thousand dollars
or whatever it is, it’s probably a rounding error in the process anyway. “If we go through this summer, and the
costs are within a certain bandwidth, and the community wants to have this improvement in service, we would then approach
the government and ask to bury the contract and come with something new.”
The FAC will be having a conference
call in early September to discuss the schedule with BC Ferries staff. Those wishing to give feedback on the new ferry schedule
are invited to do so by contacting FAC Chair André Lemieux. Alternatively, comments can be made by emailing/writing/phoning
the Sounder at derek@soundernews.com or 247-9337.
Modifications to fix Quinsam coming in August
Gabriola Sounder : Monday, July
5 2010 Modifications to the MV Quinsam are slated
to begin in late August as BC Ferries engineers try to bring her speed back up to what is necessary to maintain what is, for
now, considered her regular schedule.
Capt. Chris Frappell, Marine Superintendent, Southern Islands, answered questions
from the public on whether the move from nozzled propellors to open propellers was the reason for the Quinsam’s slower
speed. He explained that the pre-refit propulsion system did have nozzles on the bottom of the right-angle-drives (RADs) which
push the Quinsam through the water. According to Chris there have been problems in the past on the Quinsam route with the
RADs ingesting wood and debris - something the open propeller system is not as susceptible to. “It was felt an open
propeller would perform better.”
The open-prop RAD is a brand new design, according to Chris. “Some
of the other vessels in the fleet do have pseudo-nozzles around their open props, but the decision was made with the Quinsam
to go with a completely open propeller. “The first thing realized on the sea trials was that the propellers were going
up to full speed, but the engines weren’t delivering the horsepower.” In other words, the engines power wasn’t
being transferred to push against the water.
Chris explained that the initial decision was to pitch the propeller
differently to see if that allowed more power to be transferred, but the problem persisted. “A closer study of what
was happening with the hydrodynamics discovered that air was being trapped by the power post of the vertical part of the RAD.
“When you see the ship moving, there is quite a bit of bow wave with a rooster tail out behind.” The end result
is that with the new drives, air is being forced under the water and is mixing into the water which the propellers are trying
to push against. The mixture is less dense than pure sea water so, no matter how fast the propellers go, there isn’t
enough mass to push against. A potential solution, Chris said, “and this isn’t a technical term, but we’re
going to install a splitter plate aligned fore and aft just below the submersion line of the RAD shaft.” The hoped-for
effect will be to cause the air-infused water to be guided around the propellers.
“You can imagine this issue
[of the Quinsam being slow] is being taken very seriously. There is a lot of focus being put on this by BC Ferries and the
RAD manufacturer. “We will see if these modifications will improve things.” Currently repairs are still being
made to the Quinsam following the collision with Cameron Island in May, so the modifications will not be done until late August.
John Woods ,FAC member, asked when it will be known if the modifications have had the desired effect, Chris said
it will take about a month to know. John pointed out that they would be having a meeting on September 6 to discuss a return
to the previous schedule and that they would, therefore, need the information sooner than the end of September. No answer
was given to John’s point.
The RAD units will be modified one by one, rather than all four at once, to allow
the crews to assess whether there is a noticeable improvement when the modified drives are brought up to full power. BC Ferries
staff were contacted later in the week as to who will be covering the costs of the modifications - BC Ferries or the company
responsible for the re-fit - but did not respond prior to press time.
We need to plan for the time when seniors can no longer drive in order to maintain their mobility,
social connections and health. We need to encourage compact communities where seniors can walk, be driven short distances,
or take handi-buses. The more compact the communities, the more viable (through volumes of passengers) for transit authorities
to maintain such services. These ideas are aligned with the Canadian Association
of Retired People's Age-Friendly-Cities paper that can be found on their website. Such age-friendly cities already found
in Europe provide seniors the opportunity to maintain their independence and social connections much longer than our current
urban-sprawl models of urban planning. A proposal that will encourage densification
is to amend the current Provincial Property Purchase Tax to stimulate the construction of high-density housing, with additional
exemptions or reductions or both based on density of dwelling and proximity to major transit routes. With the increasing number of empty-nesters, seniors on fixed incomes should not be penalized for downsizing. My
proposal would allow for a reduction on the upfront cost on the purchase of a higher-density dwelling. For instance, a one
per cent difference on a $400,000 townhouse is a $4,000 upfront cost. On June 17, Victoria's council made a quick decision on Blue Bridge rail tracks. It announced
there would be no provision for rail on the bridge unless the money came from some other source by Aug. 12. The provincial government and the Island Corridor Foundation have not made a decision on Island rail, so council's
decision was made without knowing whether commuter rail was a go. B.C. Transit's
study on area transit is months away from completion. Council needs to review this
important decision, which could have a significant effect on area transportation. Transportation
choice is key to building a sustainable community with rail, streetcars, buses and humanized streets where walkers, seniors
and cyclists feel safe. The central components are rail and streetcars to move large
numbers of people with as little pollution as possible. Rail moves commuters, business people and shoppers into the city centre
quickly. Streetcars and buses move them to local destinations. In Victoria, there is
no downtown transit hub suitable to make this integration happen. Council should
be patient. Funds will be available. Councillors should postpone any further decisions on a Blue Bridge with or without rails
until they have time to consult with all concerned and determine if commuter rail to Victoria is a go. They should allow time to develop creative financing and create a transit hub downtown where rail passengers can
transfer quickly to local transit. Bill Draper
IslandTransformations.Org
Casino antes up for train stationNanaimo
Bulletin : June 30, 2010
The Nanaimo Train Station Restoration
Project received a helping hand thanks to a $5,000 donation from the Great Canadian Casino. “When the Young Professionals
of Nanaimo approached us and asked for support in order to bring to life this amazing community establishment, our team in
Nanaimo stepped up and made it happen,” said Howard Blank, vice-president, communications, entertainment and responsible
gambling with the Great Canadian Gaming Corporation. “We are proud to be able to assist with this important community
project.” Work on Phase 1 of the restoration of the Selby Street station began in May after Island Corridor
Foundation joined forces with the Young Professionals of Nanaimo and Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association to
raise $391,000. One of Nanaimo’s oldest landmarks, the station was badly damaged by fire in 2007. For more information,
please visit www.nanaimotrainstation.org.
Alberni Valley Times : Friday, June
25, 2010Nearly 150 bikers from throughout Vancouver Island have signed
a petition calling for Greyhound Ltd. to add bike racks to the front of their buses. The
charter service is accused of falling behind municipal operators in installing racks that rest at the front of each bus. Gary Robertson, owner of bike dealer Alien Sports in Port Alberni, said many customers decide to rent bikes
because they can't transport them. "People tell me all the time that they would buy
bikes if Greyhound let them on," he said. "The whole Island is such a great place to bike, but if you want to take
your bike on one of the buses, you have to put it in a box, which is a lot of work." Local
transit provider, Diversified Trasnsportation, has used the devices for the last decade. B.C. Transit has the capacity to
carry two bikes per bus on the majority of their shuttles throughout the province. According
to Timothy Stokes, spokesperson for Greyhound, the highway buses travel too fast to accommodate bikes. "Driving
on a Greyhound is different from driving in the city," he said. "At this time, we
have no intent of implementing the rack system." Jawn Lafratta, who started the petition,
has promoted bikes on Greyhounds for the past several years, as part of cycling advocacy groups. He
regularly commutes from his home in Nanaimo to Victoria, but at $30 per trip for his boxed bike, he doesn't travel as
often. "It actually costs more for my bike to get on the bus than it costs for me,"
he said. "Now I usually just bike the distance." Not
only is the price a major deterrent for him, so is the requirement to put the bike in a box. "That
is just a huge hassle," he said. He said VIA rail, which operates once a day in each
direction between the cities, doesn't even allow boxed bikes on board. Lafratta's petition
started as a Facebook group, but has expanded since the development of a website. To sign, people
can visit www.petitiononline.com/bikerack/petition.html.
NEW BUSES, NEW IDEAS FOR STUDENT
TRANSPORTATION
VICTORIA – 24 June 2010
A $12.5-million
investment in 106 new green school buses will benefit 31 school districts in B.C., Minister of Education Margaret MacDiarmid
announced today. The cleaner-burning diesel buses reduce exhaust
particulate by 90 per cent compared to the previous 1994 standard. Diesel buses also produce 30 to 60 per cent better mileage
than gasoline-fuelled buses and provide longer service. “These
buses are built to meet the highest safety standards and incorporate progressively greener technology,” said MacDiarmid.
“While we continue to provide students with safe, comfortable transportation, we need to look at getting the best value
for taxpayer dollars so that we can direct more resources to the classroom.”
Approximately 1,200 buses are owned and operated by school districts, and another 600 buses are operated
by bus companies under contract. Currently, school districts individually contract to buy buses from manufacturers.
“Student transportation
services cost more than $90 million annually,” said MacDiarmid. “Over the coming months, we will be looking for
new ways to provide bus transportation for students that will save money that can be reinvested in classrooms.” Bulk purchasing and a variety of other cost-saving options are being studied.
Some districts like Prince George, Surrey and Maple Ridge contract out transportation services to private companies and benefit
from reduced labour costs. Other school districts provide BC Transit bus passes to students where it makes more sense for
them to travel by city bus. “These
clean-burning buses help support our goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 33 per cent by 2020,” said Minister
of State for Climate Action John Yap. “Students are a big part of our effort to reduce carbon pollution, as the B.C.
government becomes the first carbon-neutral jurisdiction in North America in 2010.” All B.C. public sector organizations are required to publicly report on their emissions levels, on the actions they
have taken to reduce these levels, and their plans to minimize emissions. Ten of the new buses are destined
for school districts on Vancouver Island. For information on the dollars invested and types and numbers of buses for school
districts throughout the province, visit: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/news/docs/2010/bg_NewSchoolBuses_100624.pdf.
See the Island Transport Blog for comment on this topic. Nanaimo Daily News : Monday, June 21, 2010Just in time for the Canada Day holiday, B.C. Ferries has been forced to alter its sailing schedule between
Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay because one of its ships is out of commission. The Queen of Surrey,
which transports passengers between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale on the Sunshine Coast, suffered a crankshaft problem that caused
one of its two main engines to seize. She was taken out of service and another C-class ferry has been running on that route
since. It was expected the Queen of Surrey would be back on the route by the end of June
but repairs won't be finished in time so the Queen of Cowichan, which normally provides extra sailings on the Departure
Bay-Horseshoe Bay route during the busy summer months, will now split her time providing extra service between Horseshoe Bay
and Langdale and Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay, said B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall. B.C.
Ferries estimates it will cost about $3 million to repair the engines of the 29-year-old Queen of Surrey. "There
will be the same number of sailings that we usually have on the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay route but we have had to alter
some of our departure times," said Marshall. The modified schedule is expected to
be in effect starting June 30 through to July 28. Ferries will leave Departure Bay en
route to Horseshoe Bay at 6:20 a.m. daily; 7 a.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 8:30 a.m. daily; 10:40 a.m. daily;
11:20 a.m. Monday, Thursday Friday and Sunday; 12:50 p.m. daily, 1:30 p.m. Saturday; 3:10 p.m. daily; 3:40 p.m. Monday, Thursday,
Friday and Sunday; 5:20 p.m. daily; 7:30 p.m. daily; 9:35 p.m. daily and 10 p.m. Sunday. Ferries
will leave Horseshoe Bay en route to Departure Bay at 6:20 a.m. daily; 8:30 a.m. daily; 9:10 a.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday;
10:40 a.m. daily; 11:20 a.m. Saturday; 12:50 p.m. daily; 1:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday; 3:10 p.m. daily; 5:20
p.m. daily; 5:50 p.m. Saturday; 7:30 p.m. daily; 8 p.m. Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday; 9:35 p.m. daily except for Sunday;
11:30 p.m. Sunday and 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.
VIA's train service between Parksville and Courtenay
interrupted due to bridge fire near Parksville
Saturday, June 19, 2010
VIA Rail Canada wishes to advise travellers that due to a fire on the trusses of a bridge near Parksville, train service
between Parksville and Courtenay will be replaced by bus. Until June 21, 2010 VIA will continue to operate regular train
service from Victoria to Parksville in both directions. Customers travelling between Parksville and Courtenay will be bussed
to their final destination.
VIA train 199 operates daily from Victoria to Courtenay. Train 198 operates daily
from Courtenay to Victoria. While it is not known at this time when regular train service can resume, VIA has been advised
by Southern Rail that repairs are expected to be completed by June 21, 2010.
VIA wishes to apologize for
any inconvenience this disruption, which is beyond VIA's control, may cause to its customers. Further updates will
be issued as more information is made available. For further information, please call 1 888-VIA RAIL (842-7245), visit viarail.ca
Ferry passengers will soon be able to surf the Internet while skimming the waters of Active Pass. BC Ferries says it will launch wireless Internet service on some of its ships next month to provide free
web access for those who suffer Internet withdrawal during the 95-minute voyage from Victoria to the mainland. "We'll be piloting it on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay run as well as at those two terminals,"
said Deborah Marshall, BC Ferries spokeswoman. "If it is successful, we will expand it to the two other mainland-Vancouver
Island routes and the associated terminals" in Nanaimo, Duke Point and Horseshoe Bay, said Marshall. The ferry corporation is keeping mum on details -- such as what kind of technology has been selected -- until
an official announcement next month. It has taken ferries staff around two years to get the
idea from the drawing board to reality because of the difficulty maintaining a steady data connection to a moving ship, said
Marshall. Parts of the route are also problematic for cellphone reception. While
the service will be free, passengers will not be allowed to access streaming audio or video on the ferry Wi-Fi network in
order to save bandwidth, said Marshall. "We don't really know how many customers will
tap into it," she said. "We imagine it will be quite popular." There will also
be filters to block access to inappropriate sites, said Marshall. Wireless Internet is
the latest in a series of upscale service announcements for the ferry corporation, which has already created a new travel
wing -- BC Ferries Vacations -- as well as in-ship spa service, offering pedicures, manicures and massages. The
spa service has been "really well-received" by customers, Marshall said. Oceanside Star : Thursday,
June 17, 2010Mike Hooper, CEO of Nanaimo Airport, brought good news to the Parksville & District
Chamber of Commerce meeting Thursday. Hooper said that in the next six months you can expect to be able to fly to Seattle
direct from Nanaimo. And in the next 18 months he expects talks with carriers to produce flights to Calgary and Edmonton.
Currently you must fly out of the more distant Comox or Victoria airports to reach these destinations. The
big reason for the expanded services is a 1,600-foot recent extension to the runway, combined with the installation of an
instrument landing system and high-intensity lighting. That means 737 aircraft used by WestJet and other carriers can
safely use the airport, whose runway is now 6,600 feet long. Currently Air Canada Jazz operates flights to Kamloops and Victoria,
he said, but WestJet might be on board soon with other destinations. Some Chamber members, such as president Gary
Child, said they were pleased with the news, as it will cut travel time and effort. Hooper, a former forest industry executive
who has been in his post two years, said the new, $1.2-million instrument landing system, which allows pilots to take off
or land in fog or snow, means the airport's reliability has shot up sharply. "Since February we haven't missed
a flight because of the fog," he said at the dinner meeting at Morningstar Golf Course. The airport was built in 1942
and has won recent awards, including an environmental honour. Mexican flights are not on the horizon, he told a questioner.
School board puts the brakes on Friday bussing
Bowen
Island Undercurrent : June 17, 2010 Students
who rely on the school bus will soon have to find alternative transportation one day a week. The West Vancouver School Board
has decided to cancel bus service on Bowen Islands every Friday starting this September. It's a cost-cutting measure in
response to a "significant" reduction in transportation funding from the province. "I know that the elimination
of bus service one day each week will present a challenge for some, but I am hopeful that parents and guardians will work
together to make this option work for all families and children," superintendent Geoff Jopson said in a letter that was
distributed to families on Monday. The decision will affect students at Bowen
Island Community School as well as high school who take the bus to the ferry. However, bus service for high school students
on the mainland will remain as is for five days a week. The board has been discussing how to cope with the provincial funding
reduction for months. Bowen Island students, while not great in number, represent about two-thirds of the transportation budget.
The board has held public meetings and set up a committee to provide "made on the island" suggestions, as well as
encourage parents to respond to an online survey. Jopson says the committee identified
three options - walk limits, a user-pay system or eliminating the service one day a week. "While
none of the options had the full support of the community, it became clear that this option is much preferred to the imposition
of walk limits, and that many residents value the fact that it provides for equity in a way that a user-pay system does not,"
Jopson says in his letter. The committee will continue to meet to provide suggestions to both the Parent Advisory Council
and the Community School Association to ensure that all children travel safely to and from BICS every day. The committee hopes
that TransLink will also "be able to assist." Nanaimo Daily News : Thursday, June 17, 2010Vancouver
Island's struggling railway would be given new life if coal from a proposed mine near Fanny Bay is hauled by rail instead
of truck, says the railway's operator. Comox Joint Venture wants to develop a controversial 3,100-hectare underground
mine, which would capitalize on record prices for coal. The Island Corridor Foundation, which owns the old E&N Railway,
estimates there's a potential market on the Island for up to 22,000 rail cars worth of freight each year. About 15,000
of those rail cars would come from hauling coal from the Raven Coal Project to be shipped overseas from Port Alberni. Frank
Butzelaar, president of Southern Railway of Vancouver Island, said that being able to haul the coal will put the railway on
sound financial footing allowing it to more easily provide passenger and tourism services. "Coal is really going to be
the backbone of what sustains the railway," said Butzelaar. But in addition to the mine, which has sparked environmental
concerns, getting government approval the railway would also need government funding to help pay for millions in upgrades.
Also, hauling by rail would have to be cost-competitive compared to trucking. Butzelaar says it would be. Critics have
slammed plans for a viable freight-based railway on Vancouver Island because railways are normally used for hauling a lot
of material a long distance. But Butzelaar said that this theory doesn't take into consideration the type of hilly terrain
that the coal would have to travel over to get to Port Alberni. The railway has an "economic advantage" in this
situation because the trains will use comparatively less energy than trucks to climb through the high pass to the port. Butzelaar
said he'll be presenting an "economic argument" to provincial and federal governments requesting funds to upgrade
the line. "There's a willingness to invest in the railway, there just has to be a viable business alternative to
go with it. And coal is definitely a viable business opportunity." The ICF has said it needs $103.8 million to
upgrade the line. That price tag doesn't include upgrades for the Alberni leg of the track to handle heavy loads of coal.
Butzelaar said his company is examining how much that would cost. John Tapics, president of Comox Joint Venture, said
that trucks are the preferred option outlined in the mine's feasibility study, but said the company would look at rail
if it was cost-competitive compared to trucks. "If the ICF and their operators of the railway can figure out a way to
make rail work, we'll certainly consider it," he said. If the Alberni line were upgraded to accommodate coal, it
would also open up other opportunities, said Butzelaar, such as transporting lumber or creating a tourism product that would
take people from Nanaimo to Cathedral Grove. It will also put the railway on stable financial footing for passenger services
throughout the island. "If you want rail service to continue on Vancouver Island, you should really be supportive of
the coal project because it's the one thing that's going to guarantee rail service on Vancouver Island continues." Critics
have slammed the proposed mine, saying the project may pollute water sources, create dust and noise and promote reliance on
a fuel source that creates greenhouse-gas emissions. If the mine gains environmental approved, the company plans to go to
tender by late next year. It would then take another 18 months to build the surface structures.
 NOW
Ferry: MV Coastal Renaissance Built: 2007 Capacity: 1,500 passengers, 370 vehicles
Cost: $172 million It was a rainy, windy, muddy June 15, 1960, when the 500-passenger, 100-vehicle
MV Sidney sailed from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen to mark the beginning of B.C. Ferries. A mob scene it wasn't: The first
general manager, Monty Aldous, estimated no more than 35 vehicles boarded each of the 16 sailings of the Sidney and its sister
ship MV Tsawwassen, despite room for 100. But ever since, the blue-and-white ships of the provincial fleet have played a role
in Vancouver Islanders' sense of being away-from-it-all but well-connected. The British Columbia Toll Authority
Ferry System was born of then-premier W.A.C. Bennett's promise that Island residents would never again be cut off from
the mainland by union work stoppages or service cancellation by private ferry operators. When premier Bennett made the announcement
on July 17, 1958, there was no road in the wilderness that stretched from Sidney to Swartz Bay. But there was a two-month-old
strike by Canadian Pacific's 10 steamships, and Black Ball expected its two ships linking Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay to
be docked by another strike. The Bennett government invoked the Civil Defence Act to take over Black Ball's ferries and
continue sailings. But he wanted provincial ferry service, pronto. The first two ferries were based on Black Ball's Coho
to save design time, with the MV Sidney built at Victoria Machinery Depot for $3 million. The ships were eventually
called Queens. One story had it that Bennett wanted to one-up the CP line of Princess ships. Saanich Mayor Frank Leonard,
who studied the beginnings of Bennett's proudest creation for his master's degree in 2003, isn't convinced that
labour turbulence of 1958 was the only catalyst for B.C. Ferries. He studied Bennett's private papers for months and interviewed
former colleagues and found that Bennett had discussed setting up a ferry service two years before the strikes happened. Leonard
theorized that "deep down" Bennett -- the consummate free-enterpriser -- preferred a publicly owned ferry system,
just as he preferred publicly owned rail and hydro systems. By the launch, overruns had raised the cost of the two ferries
and terminals to $12 million, not the forecast $8 million, but a deluxe stateroom with private phone could be had for $3. Within
six years, 24 ferries served 10 major and four minor routes, with 14 ships built in B.C. and 10 absorbed from elsewhere. Three
jumbo ferries were constructed in the 1970s, with the Queens of Cowichan and Coquitlam the world's largest doubled-ended
ferries at the time. In 1977, B.C. Ferries became a Crown corporation, passing the 100-million passenger milestone the following
year. Throughout the 1970s and '80s, the ships were sliced in half and stretched by welding in 25-metre midsections
to boost capacity without building new ships. The 1990s brought the Spirit-class ferries and the 2000s the Coastal class,
with the PacifiCats fast-ferry fiasco in between. The pinnacle of ridership was in 1996 with 22.5 million riders; 8.5 million
vehicles in 2005. The most recent figures are 21 million passengers and 8.2 million vehicles for 2009-10. Throughout
its history, 24 babies have been born aboard B.C. ferries -- netting them free passage for life. Animal tales include a prize
bull that bounded overboard but was rescued and an immigrant couple allowed to bring their horse aboard to help them clear
property on a Gulf Island. There was also a caged leopard whose owner expected to check it as baggage and an unscheduled stop
on Mayne Island after a woman threatened to let loose her truckload of bees, Gary Bannerman writes in The Ships of British
Columbia. On Tuesday, B.C. Ferries will have surpassed 703 million passengers and 265 million vehicles. Sources: Times
Colonist files; Dogwood Fleet: The Story of the British Columbia Ferry Authority from 1958; and The Ships of British Columbia. VIU's transit plans move ahead
Nanaimo New Bulletin
: June 11, 2010
Vancouver
Island University is making headway on plans for a greener future. Two
sustainability initiatives for the Nanaimo campus – development of a new transit exchange and using geothermal energy
to heat and cool buildings – are moving forward this summer. Those two
initiatives are part of the campus master plan, which will guide development at the university for the next 50 years. The new transit exchange will increase capacity from two to six buses, making VIU another transit
hub in the city, similar to what’s at Woodgrove Centre.
“We hope
it will reduce some of the reliance on single-occupancy vehicles,” said Ric Kelm, executive director of facilities services
and campus development. “It will enhance and increase the number of buses coming to and from the campus.” The new transit hub will enter off of Fourth Street below the library. The current exchange enters
off of Fifth Street. “It will be a more efficient entry and exit onto the property,”
said Dennis Trudeau, general manager of transit for the Regional District of Nanaimo. Bus drivers will have a street light on Fourth to help keep traffic moving and will have a right turn out of the
exchange, an improvement from the current situation, where drivers must turn left onto Fifth Street, which receives heavy
traffic from the Nanaimo Parkway. “We can be held back there for five to
10 minutes sometimes,” said Trudeau. “It will be safer for our drivers and for our passengers.” The RDN has set aside almost $600,000 from federal gas tax revenue for the project, which will include
new paving and an island in the middle of the oval exchange. Trudeau said the
RDN plans to double transit service in the next 10 years and getting VIU set up to handle the increased volume is the first
step. Earlier this year, the RDN added 4,200 hours to bus runs in Fairview and
Harewood and Trudeau said the added buses have been well-used, especially by students Kelm said the university has about 2,200 parking stalls and during certain times of the day, there is still more
demand than supply. While promoting sustainable transit solutions is a major
aspect of VIU’s long-term plan, using renewable energy to heat and cool its buildings is also part of the institution’s
plan to reduce its carbon footprint. Campbell River Courier-Islander
: Friday, June 11, 2010
For the first time, there will be free transit in Campbell River on
Canada Day. The free buses will run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on July 1 as celebrations take place from one end of the community
to the other. "Last year we didn't have transit on Canada Day," said Coun. Ryan Mennie at Tuesday night's
city council meeting. "This year we do, and it's free."
Members of Campbell River's Canada Day committee
appeared before council to give an update on plans for the full day of July 1 events. Chair Carol Chapman said the original
hope was to have free transit until 11 p.m. - so fireworks fans could get the bus home - but for 2010 the buses will run until
7 p.m. only. Ron Neufeld, city operations manager, said it wasn't possible to get transit until 11 p.m. organized for
this year. "Our concern was that if we didn't do it well, we would leave people stranded," Neufeld said. Chapman
said there will be extensive road closures downtown on Canada Day for safety reasons in order to facilitate events like the
Children's Festival, which is taking place at the Community Centre from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the parade, which will
take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. There is a myriad of other activities planned, she said, including new events like a jazz
and photo show at the downtown Spirit Square from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and belt sander races which will be taking place
in the Shoppers Row area from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day wraps up with the Quality Foods Festival of Lights Fireworks at 10:22
p.m. off Robert Ostler Park. Coun. Roy Grant commended Chapman and the rest of the committee for the exponential growth in
Canada Day events in Campbell River. "Every year it gets bigger and better to the point where now it's hard to imagine
a community on Vancouver Island that has a better Canada Day than Campbell River," Grant said. For a full schedule
of Canada Day entertainers, see www.973theeagle.com and for more about Canada Day events, see www.crsalmonfestival.com.
Comox Valley
Echo : Friday, June 11, 2010An asbestos scare has temporarily closed the cafeteria on board
the B.C. Ferry running between Comox and Powell River. An eagle-eyed ferry worker noticed a tiny but suspicious pile of white
dust last Friday and was concerned that asbestos in the café ceiling might have been disturbed. "It was only the
size of a dime, but it was in a suspect area," said ferry company spokesperson Deborah Marshall. "As a precaution,
it was decided to shut down the area right away while we arranged for air sampling and analysis of the dust. Both results
came back negative." Asbestos is common in older ships, particularly as insulation around pipes and wiring because
of its extreme resistance to heat and fire. It is regarded as being safe as long as it is totally encapsulated or sealed in
place. But the tiny fibres of the mineral can be deadly if they become airborne after being disturbed and people then breathe
them in. Marshall said B.C. Ferries had an ongoing program of regular checks on its ships to ensure where asbestos was present
it was properly sealed and remained undamaged. On the Queen of Burnaby - the Comox-Powell River ship - there were 125 on-board
areas that were regularly checked, she noted. While tests showed the powder spotted by the staff member turned out not
to be an issue, the opportunity created by the temporary cafeteria closure was being taken to bring forward some additional
maintenance and encapsulation work around wiring in the ceiling. The last time such remedial work was carried out on the Queen
of Burnaby was ten years ago, and before too long renewal work would have been scheduled anyway, Marshall explained. While
the ferry continues to operate its normal sailing schedule, the cafeteria will remain closed, probably until the end of the
weekend, while remediation is completed. But to help sustain passengers on their 80-minute journey across the Georgia Strait,
free muffins are being offered by B.C. Ferries away from the usual catering area.
Cowichan
Valley Citizen : Friday, June 11, 2010A Cowichan Valley school trustee has asked for
earlier and much better notification of changes in district bus routes so parents are not facing the muddle of last September.
Deb Foster, in making her request at the Board of Education June 2 said, "Last year was a disaster. Parents want a plan
for how they are to get their kids to school. This year, we're cutting 20 per cent of the (transportation) budget. There
are going to be big changes." District Secretary-Treasurer Bob Harper said work is under way now on trying to organize
that. However, the school district closes down for most of the summer and the work will be completed closer to the start of
school. He suggested parents keep an eye on the local media for bus route information.Trustee Julie Thomas said that in her
experience the simplest way was to check the schedule posted on the door at the school. Foster agreed that might have
been the case in years past but certainly a trip to the school was no help last September when the routes were posted but
no numbers were given. "My daughter flagged down four buses on the first day of school and had to ask, is this my bus?
We can do better than that."
Nanaimo Daily
News : Friday, June 11, 2010The struggle to create a universal bus pass for students at Vancouver
Island University will continue until the transit system is improved, according to student union representatives. The provincial
government announced Wednesday that it would contribute $20 million through to April 2013 to support the implementation of
a U-Pass for all Metro Vancouver. The student union at Vancouver Island University awaits details about a program for students
outside the Lower Mainland. Premiere Gordon Campbell said his government would subsidize agreements with other post-secondary
institutions to ensure the U-Pass rate stays below $30 per month. The transit manager for the Regional District of
Nanaimo has already offered a U-Pass rate of $15 per month to VIU students, considerably lower than the $39.63 students pay
per month for their discounted rate. Selling the idea to the student union, however, has been difficult. Student union executive
director Steve Beasley said his elected representatives want better services for students before agreeing with a U-pass. The
funding from a U-Pass would introduce additional services that would improve student access to buses, according to Dennis
Trudeau, general manager of the RDN's transportation services. "The challenge is that the U-Pass relies on
every student paying in, so those who don't ride the bus subsidize transit for those who do," Beasley said. "It's
not fair to charge people to use a system they couldn't use anyway." Canadian Federation of Students' B.C.
Chairperson Nimmi Takkar supported the recent announcement regarding Vancouver's U-pass program. Thirteen of the 26 schools
in the province already have U-Passes. Rates at Langara College and Capilano University will be decreased to $30 per month
as of September. Rates for students at both the University of B.C. and Simon Fraser University are scheduled for increases
this year, but after Sept. 1, 2011, all rates will be capped at $30 per month.
Oceanside Star : Thursday,
June 10, 2010Beginning July 2, a new, free bus service will make getting around downtown Parksville easier
with more than a dozen pick-up locations. The new Downtown Get Around Bus, an initiative of the Parksville Downtown Business
Association, will link tourist accommodations and parks with shops, restaurants and other downtown services. The service will
run Monday to Saturday until Sept. 4. Other than Tuesday, hours of operation will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Tuesdays, which
are the Summer by the Sea Street Market days, the bus will operate 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Children under 12 must be accompanied
by an adult. PDBA board member Neil Watson said the bus, "will get people downtown, enhance the visitor experience
and ease parking demands and traffic congestion in the downtown core over the summer. The initiative is a pilot project but,
if it is well-received, we will look at bringing it back the next summer and explore wheelchair-accessible options."
The bus will be in the Canada Day parade and on parked at the Community Park during the festivities. The Downtown Get Around
Bus is funded by the PDBA, however, corporate sponsorship opportunities are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Summer ferry schedule announcedGulf
Islands Driftwood : June 09, 2010 11:00 AM
BC Ferries passengers travelling between
Vesuvius and Crofton should be aware of schedule changes going into effect June 30. Ten minutes will be added between
some sailings to accommodate summer’s heavier traffic. An earlier break time on Saturdays will see the 10 a.m. sailing
replaced by one at 10:50. Passengers will gain later crossings from Friday to Sunday nights, with final sailings leaving Salt
Spring at 10:05 p.m. and Crofton at 10:35 p.m. The schedule reverts to the regular season’s schedule on September 7. In
other ferry news, media relations director Deborah Marshall said staff shortages are no longer a problem for local service.
Marshall said the Queen of Nanaimo’s late sailing on June 1, which occurred after waiting for a crew member to arrive,
was an unusual incident. “It was a problem in the past, but recently we’ve had some good success recruiting on
Salt Spring,” Marshall said regarding crew shortages. She noted that qualified personnel such as engineers are the exception.
Nanaimo transit install new electronic fareboxes Nanaimo
Bulletin : June 09, 2010
Nanaimo’s buses have moved into the electronic age. B.C.
Transit recently completed the installation of new electronic fareboxes on all buses in Nanaimo’s regional transit system.
Starting Sept. 1, monthly bus passholders will be asked to swipe their pass at the farebox when boarding a bus. The fareboxes
will collect ridership data, improve fare security and reduce fare disputes. “We are moving forward with major expansions
to the Nanaimo Regional Transit System, including a plan to double bus service by 2018, and the new farebox data collection
system is essential for helping guide those plans.” said Larry McNabb, chairman of the Regional Transit Select Committee.
Fare products will transition to the new farebox technology over the next six months. The new machines will record data,
such as product type, time swiped, and bus route, which can be used to help determine future changes or improvements for the
system. The Nanaimo system is one of 11 communities to receive the new fareboxes. The Victoria Regional Transit System
already uses a similar product. B.C. Transit’s long-range vision is to implement similar technology to its entire
provincial fleet. Discovery
Coast service starts June 15 Vacation package designed for once in a lifetime northern
adventure VICTORIA – BC Ferries’ Discovery
Coast Passage connecting Port Hardy and Bella Coola, with several stops in between,
starts next week. This summer only route runs from June 15 – September 13, 2010. “The Discovery Coast Passage is a perfect opportunity for a circle tour through northern Vancouver Island and the Cariboo – Chilcotin region,” said Janet Carson, BC Ferries’
Vice President of Marketing and Travel Services. “We’ve created an exciting
nine-day self-drive vacation package to take full advantage of all the adventures that
this region has to offer.” The journey begins in Vancouver and takes travellers
to the picturesque communities of Campbell River and Port Hardy. From the northern
tip of Vancouver Island sail on the Queen of Chilliwack up the rugged coastline and
into the jade-green fjords to Bella Coola where guests can enjoy a grizzly bear or
eco-raft tour. Then it’s through the back country on to Williams Lake and finally
indulge in a night at Whistler. Travellers can take the trip in either direction. The
relaxing voyage aboard the Queen of Chilliwack often entertains travellers with sightings
of bald eagles, porpoises and dolphins. Customers are able to “wet launch” their kayaks right from the deck of the ship for a true west coast wilderness escape. For
passengers planning their own itinerary, the Discovery Coast Passage route provides three
round trips per week between Port Hardy and Bella Coola with stops at the coastal villages of Bella Bella, Shearwater, Klemtu and Ocean Falls on specified dates. The Queen of Chilliwack offers comfortable sleeper seats, coin-operated showers and barbecues hosted by the crew on the outer deck of the ship. For information about the Discovery Coast
Circle Tour or other vacation packages, visit bcferries.com/vacations Nanaimo Daily
News : Monday, June 07, 2010
Despite a tumultuous decade, Gabriola Islanders sailing aboard
the B.C. Ferry Quinsam have developed an affinity for the 28-year-old, 285-foot, 2,080-horsepower vessel that plies the waters
between downtown Nanaimo and Descanso Bay on Gabriola. Recently, the ship, which has a capacity for 400, including crew
and passengers, gained attention after returning from the second-stage of a two-phase $16-million refit. First the ship's
new propulsion systems weren't working properly and the vessel was forced to run slower than usual, which forced B.C.
Ferries to alter its schedule to accommodate the crossing times for the 3.7-nautical-mile journey. And on May 29 some early
morning sailings were cancelled after the Quinsam slammed into the rocky shoreline at Cameron Island during its first sailing
that Saturday, forcing passengers to use water taxis, meaning they could not take their vehicles between Gabriola and the
"Big Island." "It's all part of the charm of living on Gabriola," said Lisa Carter, as she crouched
on the deck during a noon-hour crossing and petting her two black Labradors. "It helps you take things in stride."
Carter, who has lived on Gabriola for three years, is not a regular commuter to Nanaimo. The disruption to the Quinsam's
schedule May 29 did affect her, however. "I'm the manager of the Gabriola Farmer's Market and on that Saturday
nobody showed up to look at things. I was quite surprised as I really didn't realize how many people come over from Nanaimo
for the market on the weekend until they weren't there." As for the recent changes to the ship built at the Vancouver
Shipyards and named after the Quinsam River, Carter said she "was really glad they redid the bathrooms. All in all, I
think this is a fine ferry, except I wish they would have put in a cappuccino bar." Andre Lemieux, chairman of Gabriola's
Ferry Advisory Committee, agrees the Quinsam, which has plied the waters between Nanaimo and Gabriola since her launch in
1982, is a reliable vessel that suits the lifestyle of Gabriolans. "Over the years, I would have to say she has been
very dependable, despite one or two mishaps," said Lemieux. Though concerned about the propulsion problems of MV Quinsam,
Lemieux said he was pleasantly surprised by the new schedule. "The overall performance since the refit has not
been that good but perhaps they need some time to work the bugs out," he said. "I have to say that since the ferry
corporation announced the temporary new schedule last week, it runs earlier now and allows people to get to Departure Bay
to catch an earlier ferry to Vancouver and it comes back to Nanaimo later, allowing people to stay in Nanaimo longer."
B.C. Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said the ferry corporation will re-examine the ships's schedule after the summer. The
B.C. Ministry of Transportation put Quinsam on the Nanaimo-Gabriola route and because of the many Gabriolans like Kerry Owen,
consider her "part of the highway system." In 1985, highways transferred the ferry route to B.C. Ferries. Quinsam,
which can hold 70 vehicles, replaced the 50-vehicle Quinitsa. On a normal day, the Quinsam makes 16 round trips between Nanaimo
harbour and Descanso Bay on Gabriola Island. The trip across Nanaimo Harbour and the entrance to Northumberland Channel will
take about 20 minutes once B.C. Ferries and the company that installed the new propulsion systems have fixed the problems.
Until then, the trip across the Nanaimo Harbour takes about 30 minutes. The Quinsam is quite plain by modern ferry
standards. Her list of amenities is short, so short in fact that on the B.C. Ferries website explaining ships in the fleet,
the ferry corporation lists the number of amenities aboard the vessel as "none." However, there are washrooms, small
lounges and vending machines. Most people, like Owen who was making a rare trip to Nanaimo, remain in their vehicles."I'm
fortunate because I work at home," he said. "I would say I only go across to Nanaimo every three or four weeks."
Quinsam has become a fixture during the 28 years she has travelled between Nanaimo and Gabriola, she has also helped in a
number of rescues. On July 31, 2005, Quinsam's crew helped two men whose sailboat had overturned near Gabriola Island.
Crew members in the ferry's rescue boat pulled the men from the water and towed the sailboat to shore. In April,
Quinsam was involved in the safety and rescue exercise in Nanaimo Harbour 2010 -- a exercise that brought numerous municipal,
provincial and federal agencies together to practise a co-ordinated response to a medium-size marine disaster. It also gave
B.C. Ferries a chance to try out a new emergency life raft and rescue boat installed during Quinsam's recent retrofit.
Marshall said B.C. Ferries expects MV Quinsam, which carried 823,578 passengers and 386,595 vehicles during fiscal 2008-09,
will remain a fixture in the Nanaimo harbour for another 17 years. "With the retrofit, she's like a brand-new boat,"
Marshall said.
Nanaimo Daily News : June 04, 2010Four
fatal crashes of commercial float planes in B.C. in less than two years has led to calls for more safety measures from the
Transportation Safety Board. Transportation Minister John Baird said that "it's clear we don't need more studies"
on the subject after the latest crash last week near Tofino that left four people dead, and on Wednesday he announced a number
of initiatives to be undertaken immediately to increase floatplane safety. They include investigating the possibility of implementing
improvements in the means of escaping from submerged planes, such as the mandatory wearing of life-jackets by passengers,
more emergency exits and pop-out windows and quick-exit training for air crews.Baird also wants investigation and enforcement
actions strengthened against operators who don't follow rules and regulations in the industry. The owners of two commercial floatplane companies that fly between Nanaimo and Vancouver (Harbour Air and Seair)
agree that safety is paramount, but have raised some concerns about the direction the TSB is taking. Greg McDougall, owner
of Harbour Air, which operates along coastal B.C., held a news conference in Vancouver on Thursday and said that the company
has been "refining its culture of safety" for more than a decade. The last time Harbour Air had one of its floatplanes
crash was in 1998 off the Nisga'a community of Kincolith, north of Prince Rupert, in which the pilot and four passengers
died. McDougall said much has changed with Harbour Air since then. "We've gotten a lot more sophisticated with our
operations and safely transported about 400,000 passengers per year since that accident, so we feel our record speaks for
itself," he said. Transport Canada estimates there are more than 4,000 floatplanes,
both private and commercial, across the country. Of the 214 commercial operators in Canada, 41, or about 20%, are located
in B.C. McDougall said he doesn't think mandating the use of life-jackets by passengers would increase safety unless a
new, redesigned jacket was developed that wouldn't inflate too early in a downed aircraft and impede the ability of passengers
to escape. He said the company is also already "constantly involved" with its suppliers to develop better safety
measures. Peter Clarke, the owner of Seair, said all floatplane companies want
to see initiatives to make the industry safer, but he thinks the TSB is "focusing on the wrong areas." He declined
to elaborate.
"Their opinion, predominantly, at this point
. . . with all walks of life they're carrying on board, they're not confident that their passengers would not inflate
their life jackets at the inappropriate time." For more than 15 years, the federal
transportation safety board has recommended Transport Canada mandate the use of life jackets in flights. At least three smaller B.C. airlines adopted policies earlier this year making them mandatory for crew and passengers.
And Australia has drafted a law that would require them to be worn on float planes, amphibious aircraft, and helicopters. Transport Canada already recommends that passengers
grab their life vests from underneath their seat and put it on in the event of a crash. Making them mandatory would reduce
the risk of drowning once they got out of the aircraft. The issue will be debated further
at a float plane safety workshop involving industry and federal officials in Vancouver later this year, probably in November.
A total of 20 persons have died in less than two years in four crashes of commercial
float planes and amphibious aircraft in B.C., two of them on land and two in water. A Harbour Air Beaver crashed in 1998 off the Nisga'a community of Kincolith, north of Prince
Rupert. The pilot and four passengers died. The impact did not kill them. Panic and disorientation did. The safety board found that the seat belts were unfastened and the exit doors and handles all worked property. No
one wore life jackets. McDougall said Harbour Air has worked hard to create a culture
of safety since that accident. Together with its sister operations, Westcoast
Air and North Pacific Seaplanes, the company has a fleet of 52 float planes and transports 400,000 customers per year, making
it the largest such company in the world. "Obviously anything that enhances safety
in this business, we're all for," he said. Comox Valley Echo : Tuesday,
June 01, 2010If you see lights, sirens and smoke coming from the airport on Friday don't panic. The
airport is conducting an emergency response exercise Friday morning that will involve 19 Wing as well as emergency responders
from the ambulance, fire and police services. The purpose of the exercise is to ensure airport staff is prepared to effectively
react to a variety of emergency situations that could arise at the Comox Valley Airport. The exercise is not expected to impact
scheduled airline activity.
B.C. Ferries will launch an investigation into why the MV Quinsam slammed into the rocky shoreline
as it came into the Nanaimo harbour during its first sailing early Saturday. There
were no reports of injuries after what officials called a "missed approach" that reportedly woke up some residents
of a nearby Cameron Island apartment complex shortly before 6 a.m. Two sailings were
cancelled as crews inspected the vessel and also switched out a fuel line. B.C. Ferries
used a water taxi service to shuttle stranded passengers back and forth to Gabriola Island before the ship resumed runs at
9:40 a.m. Crews inspected the vessel but determined damage was restricted to
the propeller blades after one of the propellers came into contact with rocks on the shoreline. Crews also dealt with another issue with plans to change out a RAD unit. The
Quinsam operated a half-knot slower with only three engines instead of four but officials expected the ship to be back up
to speed sometime Sunday. The delays were noted in a service notice on the B.C. Ferries
website. They are the latest problems to plague the Quinsam, which only returned
to its run earlier this month after a lengthy $16-million retrofit. The extensive mid-life upgrades included new electrical
generators and switchboards, controls and four new propulsion systems. Issues with the propulsion system earlier this month
knocked half a knot off of its normal operation speed between 11 and 12 knots, causing delays for users. B.C. Ferries officials said there was no immediate reason why the Quinsam hit the shore on Saturday. "We don't believe the retrofit was a factor," said spokeswoman Deborah Marshall. "Obviously
it did impact our customers and for that we apologize." The 300-passenger Quinsam
operates more than a dozen daily routes to Gabriola Island, the only way most residents go back and forth to Nanaimo. 'Drop
Trailer' problem dropped on Ferry Commission
Island Tides - 27 May 2010
BC Ferries’ move last year to get into the commercial ‘drop trailer’ business between
the Mainland and Vancouver Island brought loud complaints of ‘unfair competition’ from Seaspan Intermodal, who
had previously enjoyed a monopoly on this kind of service. Now the government has passed the problem to the Ferry Commissioner,
who will have to regulate the service. The buck has been passed via a series of amendments
to the Coastal Ferry Act, included in Bill 20, the
Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 3),
which was given First Reading on April 29. The new legislation, which is specifically targeted at the ‘drop trailer’
service on major routes, orders the ferry commissioner to determine whether ‘a ferry operator’ (presumably BCFS)
has an ‘unfair competitive advantage’ in providing the service, because it can use ships and terminals that are
or were owned by the government (or a ‘government body’), or because it has a tax exemption or subsidy (presumably not available to its competition). If the Ferry Commissioner determines that such
an unfair advantage exists, he must either order that the service be contracted out, or that
BCFS must charge at least as much as it would have to without the ‘unfair competitive advantage’.
Drop Trailers – a History First
of all, what are ‘drop trailers’? Most people are familiar with the tractor/semitrailer combinations that are
the workhorses of road-freight hauling worldwide. When one is loaded on a ferry to Vancouver Island, it is essentially parked
for a couple of hours, and its driver is idled. But the tractor (the power unit) still has to be paid for, and so does the
driver. Some fifty years ago, Seaspan’s predecessors started the Vancouver Island ‘drop trailer’ business,
using roll-on/roll-off ferries and barges which carried only the trailers,
not the tractors, which were then released for further work on their side of the Strait of Georgia. At
docks located at Tilbury (Delta) and Swartz Bay and Nanaimo, the trailers are loaded and unloaded from the ships by ‘yard
goats,’ tractors which do nothing else, driven by specialized drivers known as ‘hostlers’. (Seaspan also
handles railway cars for the Southern Railway, previously the E&N, on Vancouver Island.)
Until quite recently, BC Ferries assumed that the government would look askance at any attempt to
compete with Seaspan in the drop trailer business. But in early 2009, it dipped its toe in the water, and by midsummer had
made a clear commitment to services between Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay, and Duke Point. BCFS contracted with TICO of Ridgeland,
South Carolina for the supply of yard goats, and advertised on Craigslist for hostlers. BCFS’ hostlers were to be paid $27 per hour, $6 more than the competition. The BCFS operation is
slightly different from the Seaspan approach, inasmuch as the ‘yard goats’ are left on the ferry for the trip
across the Strait, so that trailers can be loaded and unloaded without delaying ferries. Hostlers, however, do not make the
trip, remaining on their side of the Strait.
War of Words Last summer, Seaspan made representations to the government, Delta Municipality,
and others, complaining that BCFS’ use of the existing ferries and terminal facilities,
together with the subsidy of some $120 million provided by the government, made the competition
unfair. (Seaspan is part of the Washington Marine Group, which, through its tug and drydock interests, bought, parked, and
recently sold, the ‘fast ferries’ built by BC Ferries in the nineties.) BCFS CEO David Hahn was quoted at the
time: ‘We are just competing with them. I don’t know what the problem is. I’m confused.’ It is rumoured that BC Ferries charge significantly less for the service than Seaspan. Last year, Seaspan
were moving some 700 trailers a day on scheduled services to and from Vancouver Island; Hahn
has suggested that at the moment, BCFS is moving some 100 trailers a week. An Accountant’s Worst Nightmare It seems unlikely that BCFS would contract out its service to anyone else (the first option
in the legislation), so it’s probable that the Ferry Commissioner will be stuck with the job of working out what BCFS should charge, should they have to pay for
ship space and terminal facilities, were they not available from their passenger ferry operations (the second option). BCFS
say that they are using ‘dead space’ that would be otherwise unused on less busy ferry trips. BCFS have already pointed out that the provincial subsidy is targeted to the minor inter-island routes, not
the major routes Nº1, Nº2, and Nº30 where the drop trailer service is offered, so the subsidy is, in a sense,
irrelevant. If there is found to be a cost advantage to BCFS through the use of their existing ships and facilities, the Commissioner’s
accountants have to determine what it is, and calculate what BCFS’ drop trailer pricing would be were there no cost
advantage. And should it turn out, even after ratesetting by the Commissioner, that BCFS makes a profit on the drop trailer
service, there is no shortage of suggestions as to what might be done with the money, including
reducing the subsidy. An early resolution of this dispute should not be expected BC FERRIES ADJUSTS GABRIOLA SCHEDULE TO IMPROVE
ON-TIME PERFORMANCE
New schedule starting May 27, 2010
VICTORIA – BC Ferries is adjusting the schedule on the Gabriola Island – Nanaimo Harbour route to improve
the on-time performance.
The on-time performance of the Gabriola Island – Nanaimo Harbour route has been deteriorating
over the past several years due to a challenging schedule that is unable to meet the traffic demand. A number of factors are
affecting the MV Quinsam’s ability to maintain the posted schedule including: increase in passenger traffic volumes;
peak demand; in-dock time; and vessel speed.
The MV Quinsam has just returned to the route after the second phase
of its asset betterment project to prepare the 28-year old ship for another 17 years of service. This life extension project
included the installation of four new propulsion systems and new propeller
blades. During sea trials, the ship did not
meet speed requirements and the propellers were repitched. While improvements were made, the ship is currently operating half
a knot slower than before.
The speed of the MV Quinsam is just one part of the equation and BC Ferries is working
with the propulsion system manufacturer to rectify this issue. The company is also reviewing its loading and unloading procedures
on the vessel and terminals to ensure maximum efficiency. In the meantime, BC Ferries is well aware of the importance of on-time
performance to its customers and of a schedule that can be maintained. As a result, the MV Quinsam will operate on an expanded
schedule starting May 27 through September 6 in order to improve reliability for the customers. BC Ferries will monitor the
performance of the vessel on this new schedule throughout the summer and will review it in the fall.
 More
Harbour Air / West Coast Air terminal changes
25 May 2010
Victoria (YWH) Effective May.25th,
2010: The West Coast Air Terminal, now known as Terminal 2, will be checking in Scenic
Tour, Charters and freight for both West Coast Air and Harbour Air. The Harbour Air Terminal, now known as Terminal 1, will be checking in all Scheduled services for Harbour Air and West Coast Air. Shuttle Service will be available for all
passengers. Nanaimo (ZNA) Effective June.1st, 2010 West Coast Air check in will be located in the Harbour Air Terminal, now known as Terminal 1. This move will allow for the renovation of a new departure lounge for all passengers,
which will be known as Terminal 2. As more information
becomes available for our other Terminals we commit to provide you with clear and concise
updates allowing for the best customer experience. Although both companies are
trying to keep service interruptions to a minimum, we do apologize in advance for any
inconvenience that may be caused as we proceed with the renovations. Please be assured
that throughout the process, the safety and comfort of our passengers is our primary concern and we will be taking every measure possible to limit disruptions. We
thank you for your patience and continued support during this transitional phase. Alberni Valley Times : Friday, May 21, 2010Commuters
and travellers down Highway 4 toward Tofino and Ucluelet can expect some delays in the coming months. The construction is
part of a plan to restore the aging bridges along Highway 4 west of Port Alberni. Mercer bridge, located 50 km west of Port
Alberni and Braydon bridge, which crosses over Canoe Creek, 59 km west, will see a facelift this summer, rerouting traffic
and causing delays."These bridges are log stringer structures built in 1958 and 1959," explained Scott MacDonald,
bridge project supervisor from Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Windley Contracting Ltd. from Nanaimo,
the lowest of eight bidders, was awarded a $2.1 million contract to replace Mercer and Brayden bridges as part of a plan to
restore aging log timber structures. "We have an ongoing review of our structures and have a rating system. Bridges are
put on the replacement list based on their rating, plus other criteria like alignment or scour issues," said MacDonald.
"Structures are replaced before there is any structural concerns." Both will be replaced with concrete box beam
bridges, including improvements made to approach alignments, the road before and after the bridge. Work on the bridges is
expected to begin next month and be completed by September 30. "The work involves installing detour bridges upstream
of the existing (ones) and then replacing the old bridge and improving the alignment with approximately 300 metres of approach
work at each site," explained MacDonald. There will be a 50 km/h construction zone in place at each site, and drivers
are reminded speeding fines double in these work areas. Replacing the two structures should improve motorist safety
and support tourism and economic development, said transportation and infrastructure minister Shirley Bond in a press release.
Since 2001, the province has invested $32 million in upgrades to Highway 4. To date, 15 bridges have been upgraded or
replaced with concrete, steel or timber structures and three more are expected to be replaced over the next three years. Travellers
can expect minimal delays of up to 20 minutes, with some single-lane altering traffic. Motorists are advised to visit www.drivebc.ca
for provincial highway conditions and traffic updates. This project is part of B.C.'s busiest ever highway construction
season. Almost 400 highway and other transportation infrastructure projects are scheduled this season across the province.
Harbour Air & West Coast Air Consolidation
17 May 2010
The
Harbour Air Group has published its latest update on the consolidation of services between Harbour Air and
West Coast Air.
Plans are underway to achieve synergies between both companies, which will result in:
* increased
value added services
* increased product offerings
* increased seating capacity
* lower flight costs
At this time we are able to update you on two terminal consolidation activities which will allow for many benefits.
Richmond (YVR)
As of May 19th, 2010 the West Coast Air Richmond location will
be checking in passengers and freight at the Harbour Air Terminal located at 4760 Inglis Drive. This move will have the immediate
benefits of complimentary passenger parking! Check in early and relax in the newly renovated departure lounge or have a bite
to eat at the very popular Flying Beaver Bar and Grill. The West Coast Air pick up and drop off shuttle service will remain
and will be available to both Harbour Air and West Coast Air customers - simply call 604.834.2257 for pick -up service.
Vancouver Harbour (CXH)
As of May 19th, 2010 the West Coast Air Vancouver
Harbour location will be checking in passengers and freight at the Harbour Air terminal, which is the same location - 1075
West Waterfront Road. Shortly after this date on May 21st both Harbour Air and West Coast Air passengers will enjoy complimentary
specialty coffees, newspapers, wireless access, internet kiosks, muffins and pastries in our newly renovated departure lounge
hosted by our friendly Customer Experience Agent.
As more information becomes available for our other Terminals
we commit to provide you with clear and concise updates allowing for the best customer experience. Although both companies
are trying to keep service interruptions to a minimum, we do apologize in advance for any inconvenience that may be caused
as we proceed with the renovations. Please be assured that throughout the process, the safety and comfort of our passengers
is our primary concern and we will be taking every measure possible to limit disruptions.
We thank you for your
patience and continued support during this transitional phase.
Harbour Air Group of Companies
MV QUINSAM RETURNS TO SERVICE AFTER $16 MILLION
UPGRADE Terminals upgraded at both Nanaimo Harbour and Descanso Bay
VICTORIA – The completely refurbished Quinsam returns to service tomorrow on BC Ferries’
Gabriola Island route following an extensive asset betterment project. BC Ferries spent
over $16 million on the project to prepare the 28-year old ship for another 17 years
of service. “The Quinsam project, which
was conducted in two, six-month phases, basically saw a complete rebuild of the ship
with upgrades to engineering components, lifesaving equipment and passenger amenities,”
said Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ Vice President of Engineering and Terminal Construction.
“The result is a quieter, safer, cleaner, more fuel efficient vessel.” The
major project work included the following: • Brand new safety and evacuation
systems
• Four new propulsion systems
• New electrical generators and switchboards
• New wheel house
with all new controls and electronics
• Steel replacement
• Four new passenger lounges
• New washrooms
• New security systems with many CCTV cameras with recorders
• Upgrades to the sewage treatment plant The work
undertaken in the first phase of the Quinsam project, which occurred last year, included:
sandblasting and re-coating the car deck; installation of new keel coolers and new sea chest
piping; the replacement of a significant amount of the bilge piping; and the installation of a larger capacity tank for the sewage system. In order to coincide with
the return of the Quinsam, improvements to Nanaimo Harbour include fencing repairs
and repainting the vehicle lane markings. “A significant change for customers,
given the commuter nature of the route, is safe walking areas for foot passengers which
reduce conflicts with vehicular traffic,” said Collins. “This includes a new electrically controlled barrier in front of the ticket booth to allow foot passengers to purchase tickets while the vehicles are held back at a safe distance.” Later this summer, BC Ferries will undertake another major project at Nanaimo Harbour as the existing washrooms will be demolished and a new, modern facility will be constructed. On the Gabriola Island side
at Descanso Bay, BC Ferries has installed a completely new electrical service, including
increased shore power to the vessel. This will allow the ship to shut down its’
generators in dock at night, improving air quality. The terminal buildings and berth ramps
have also been repainted and new fencing has been installed. BC Ferries is pleased
to reintroduce the Quinsam into service along with the terminal improvements. This
ship is the sixth minor vessel to undergo significant improvements over the last few
years. “The Quinsam’s asset betterment project is just one example of our
comprehensive upgrade program for our minor vessels and terminals,” said Collins.
“BC Ferries has already made upgrades to minor vessels Kuper, Quinitsa, Kwuna,
Kahloke, Klitsa and North Island Princess. We’ve recently upgraded terminal facilities
at Skidegate, Bella Bella, Buckley Bay, Quathiaski Cove, Fulford Harbour, Alert Bay,
Village Bay and Kuper Island.” This year, BC Ferries will undertake a major modernization
of the vessel Quadra Queen II. In the near future, BC Ferries will launch terminal
improvements at Denman Island, Hornby Island, Little River and Powell River. Cowichan
Valley Citizen : Wednesday, May 12, 2010
It's being labeled as a cleaner, greener and more efficient bus and it
has taken to Cowichan Valley streets thanks to a BC Transit test project. The Vicinity, a 27.5-foot European-inspired community
bus is being tested in the Valley as part of BC Transit's multi-community trial. "It's like a mini bus really,"
said Jim Wakeham, the Cowichan Valley Regional District's transit manager. "They are going to try to run it on as
many routes as possible over the next month." After that it heads to a different community for more testing. The
goal is to get the maximum exposure to B.C.'s varied weather conditions and terrain. Wakeham isn't sure if the Vicinity
bus will make a good fit for the Valley but he's keen to see if it'll work. "We've got a very interesting
demographic and geography, he said. "In some routes we need the conventional larger bus. A lot of it too, is the bus
itself and how it handles with all of our weather and how it handles with the hills we have to go up and down." The
prototype Vicinity bus began testing on the Sea-To-Sky highway during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Cowichan
is just the second pilot community to test the prototype bus. "We are the first and only Vancouver Island coastal community
that is going to get a shot at this," he said. Smaller than a typical bus, the compact and narrow Vicinity is being eyed
as a potential alternative for use on community routes, often travelling through residential streets. The Vicinity includes
a ramp at the front with kneeling capabilities, and seats 23 passengers. Thus far, drivers have said the bus offers
good visibility and drivability while BC Transit reports customers have noticed a smoother ride, due to the computerized air-ride
suspension. "What they're trying to do is survey the bus drivers, the operating company, the customers, the mechanics
and get a feel from everybody and rate this after they go from community to community," Wakeham said. Preliminary data
shows substantial long-term cost savings compared to other buses in its class. The buses may be the future of community
transit systems, says Manuel Achadinha, president and CEO of BC Transit. "This prototype is an example of how BC Transit
continually strives to identify innovative and sustainable transportation choices," he said. Even if the bus is deemed
well-suited to the area, Wakeham said it'll take a year to 18 months at the very least before the possibility will even
exist to order one or more buses to serve the Valley. Even so, he's happy for the sneak peek. "I'm just happy
that we get a test instead of relying on other communities' feedback," he said. "It's kind of nice to be
able to give it a test run of our own."
Nanaimo Daily News : Tuesday, May 11,
2010Work starts today on the first phase of reconstruction of the Nanaimo train station. The Island Corridor
Foundation has given approval for the station rehabilitation project to go ahead, based on contributions made to date to the
fundraising campaign. Arson struck the Nanaimo train station in August 2006, just as the Island Corridor Foundation was working
to rebuild the Esquimalt and Nanaimo Railway.A fundraising campaign has been going since then. That campaign was temporarily
derailed by the untimely death of Blair McKinnon, the lead fundraiser, on April 11. Now the campaign is back on track
and the community has come out in full support. It's still $118,000 away from its target but organizers are confident
the goal will be met. "We're now comfortable we will not run out of funding during the first phase," said Andre
Sullivan, Young Professionals of Nanaimo president. The organization is leading the charge to rebuild the station. Phase 1
work starting today will see the building's foundation, exterior and roof replaced. "In some ways it's nice to
see some action there but it also puts a time line into our fundraising," Sullivan said. "We're still about
$118,000 short but (hopefully we will) see the same support from the community." The $1.3-million project has $896,000
from Via Rail from the fire insurance policy on the building. Recent big donations include $10,000 from Windsor Plywood,
$5,000 each from Coast Realty, law firm Manning and Kirkhope and DTZ Barnicke. A celebrity football game in memory of McKinnon
planned May 29 at Caledonia Park is expected to raise $85,000. To donate visit www.nanaimotrainstation.org.
BC FERRIES OPENS NEW VACATIONS CENTRE IN DOWNTOWN
VANCOUVER
Tuesday 11 May 2010
BC Ferries has announced the grand opening of its new Vacations Centre. Located at 1010 Canada Place in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the centre will provide visiting tourists and locals with endless opportunities to explore British Columbia aboard BC Ferries. The BC Ferries Vacations Centre features a 90-square foot
electronic media wall with 18 screens with touch film technology for interactive navigation.
The content of the screens include everything a traveller needs to plan a coastal vacation,
from route maps to package options and destination images to ship information and onboard
amenities. The 2,600-square foot centre is located directly across the street from
the newly expanded Vancouver Convention Centre and provides BC Ferries with significant
presence in this major tourism market. The space also features a retail section with
gifts and jewellery created by artisans from our coastal communities. “Our BC Ferries Vacation Centre focuses on unique travel packages for visitors and local residents, and will help our customers create unforgettable B.C. vacations,” said Janet Carson,
BC Ferries’ Vice President of Marketing and Travel Services. “Our sales
associates are pleased to provide their expertise to recommend products that will enhance
the vacation experience.” BC Ferries, along with its tourism partners,
has developed over 20 exciting travel packages offering customers great savings when
they purchase travel products through BC Ferries Vacations Centre. Whether you are
looking for adventure or relaxation, the packages include something for everyone. With the launch of BC Ferries vacation packages, the BC Ferries Vacations Centre is part of a broader business initiative to influence discretionary travel with favourable offers to the destinations BC Ferries serves. Vacation packages are available
at the BC Ferries Vacation Centre, online at www.bcferries.com/vacations or by calling 1-888-223-3779.
Missing piece in new ferry bill
from the Ferry Advisory Committee Chairs (FACC) - 5 May 2010
A
key recommendation by the Comptroller General is missing from the Province’s proposed changes for the ferry system.
That recommendation could safeguard the public service role of ferries and reconcile an apparent conflict in government goals
for the system, say the Ferry Advisory Committee Chairs (FACC).
The changes are the government’s response to the Comptroller General’s ferry
review last year. They're in a new bill that includes amendments to the Coastal Ferry Act. But neither the current nor
the new legislation state government's goals for the system. The only clues are in the ferry commissioner's guiding
principles, which focus on ensuring sustainability of the ferry operator, and on moving the system toward increased user pay. The Comptroller General's report says "there is a risk that a focus on the profitability or sustainability
of the ferry operator exclusively could be at the expense of the public service mandate," and it recommends that government
clarify its intentions and update legislation to reflect them. One proposed change would require the ferry commissioner to
consider the interests of ferry users. “Yet, unless the commissioner is given new goals, there’s no mechanism
to consider those interests along with the continuing focus on ferry operators’ needs and the move toward user pay,”
says Tony Law of Hornby‐Denman. The FACC have conveyed to Minister Shirley Bond the importance of acknowledging the public service mandate
of coastal ferries in legislation. This would do several things: • clarify the responsibilities
of ferry commissioner and the Province; • support the government’s statements
when it created the new system, to "protect ferry consumers from unreasonable rate hikes” and ensure ‘long‐term service commitments”
and “modest and predictable average fare increases;"
• further provincial economic goals, coastal economic recovery, and taxpayers’
interests. “The current goals are taking us toward the limits of user pay,” says
Brian Hollingshead of the Southern Gulf Islands. ”This is aggravated by the economic downturn and by basic provincial
service fees frozen at 2003 levels. All of which has the potential to hurt the ferry system, ferry users, coastal economies,
and ultimately taxpayers.” The FACC recognizes that this is a time for fiscal restraint. “But we hope that the
government will support economic recovery and self‐sufficiency in coastal regions by planning adequate support for ferries in the next term of its contract with BC Ferries (2012 to
2016),” says Stephen Waugh of the North and Central Coast. “The multiplier effect of investment in essential transportation
benefits the whole province." Acknowledging the public service role for ferries in legislation is an important first
step.
Oceanside Star : Thursday,
May 06, 2010
Qualicum Beach resident Edith Chamberlayne asked council Monday to start a seniors bus service
in town from October to May. Chamberlayne, 84 and a resident for 49 years, said a small bus could be flagged down as it drives
by seniors residences, such as The Gardens, and take them to stores and services in the village centre. Seniors would pay
a small fee, she said, but the service would have to be subsidized. She compared it to the trolley service in Ladysmith, a
taxpayer-subsidized service which suggests riders donate 50 cents. Coun. Barry Avis said such a service is in the Town's
sustainability plan. Mayor Teunis Westbroek said the Town is in favour of such a service and is trying to figure out how to
pay for it in consultation with the Regional District of Nanaimo, which operates the regional transit service.
Cowichan
Valley Citizen : Friday, April 30, 2010Passengers aboard the Via Dayliner train that runs
from Victoria to Courtenay got a jolt Friday morning when the train collided with a car at Drinkwater Road in Duncan. The
incident happened at about 9:45 a.m. as the train was en route to Courtenay. Police and other emergency personnel quickly
shut down Drinkwater Road and extracted a woman from the wrecked vehicle, which was struck on the passenger side. Police at
the scene said she appeared to have non-life-threatening injuries. Train passengers milled around outside
the stopped Dayliner, shocked by the crash, as did locals who heard the commotion and came to see what was going on. Port
McNeil's Henry Gonzalez and Lorraine Landry were sitting near the middle of the Dayliner when they made the unexpected
stop. "We heard a big thud and we got a jolt and then we looked out the window and we saw a car skidding off to the side
of the pavement," Gonzalez said. After that, people started yelling "emergency" according to another passenger.
Gonzalez said he and Landry had experienced a much more eventful journey than they had expected when they planned to "do
the touristy thing" and take the train to Victoria and back. On Thursday, they made the first leg of their journey, heading
to the province's capital. During that trip, the police had to board the train to remove a drunken passenger when they
arrived in Nanaimo. "My gosh, it happened fast," said Landry of Friday morning's crash. Fellow passenger
Michel Cortie of Montreal is a self-professed train lover who has ridden trains around the world. "This is my first-ever
crash, though," he said, as he looked down the track at the stopped Dayliner. "I've never seen anything like
this," said Balbir Minhas, who lives near where the accident occurred. He and friend Parmjit Manhas were alerted by sirens
and came to see what was happening. "Look at the car," he said, surveying the caved-in side of the red four-door. Via
Rail Canada's Catherine Kaloutsky confirmed the company's head office had learned about the collision involving a
train and one car. "Two buses have been ordered and confirmed for those passengers who have been stranded on the train
to get them to their final destinations," she said. Kaloutsky said Via Rail would conduct its own internal investigation
in addition to the one being done by police.
Comox Valley Echo
: Tuesday, April 27, 2010Long-awaited improvements to local bus services come in to effect
on Monday (May 3). The changes have been delayed for more than 18 months due to budget issues at B.C. Transit, despite Comox
Valley Regional District putting up the money from the get-go for its share of the cost. Among the changes is a new bus route
serving the Arden area. The #7 Arden service becomes a permanent route operating Mondays to Saturdays.
The service was
initially tested as an extension of #1 Fitzgerald (formerly the #1 Town Shuttle), running just twice a day on weekdays and
once on Saturdays. The new route includes ten dedicated round-trips every weekday and six trips Saturdays. In addition, the
commuter run from Courtenay to the Oyster River (#12 North Valley Connector) will provide one additional morning trip to accommodate
the increase in customers, taking the service to four round-trips daily. The #1 Fitzgerald (formerly Town Shuttle),
a lengthy route, will be split into two simpler routes, now the #1 Fitzgerald and the new #8 Willemar. Both #1 and #8 will
continue to serve exactly the same areas, but offering service in opposite directions, providing more effective, accessible
service. "The new permanent route will not only allow commuters to get out of their vehicles and enjoy efficient and
environmentally conscious transit, but by transporting people into our town centre we are ultimately bringing our community
closer together," said Comox Valley MLA Don McRae. And B.C. transportation minister Shirley Bond added: "Expanding
transit services in communities throughout British Columbia is a key element of the Provincial Transit Plan. "This latest
service expansion gives people in the Comox Valley greater access to fast, frequent and reliable transit options for their
everyday transportation needs." About 1,700 hours of service are being added to the Comox transit system. Additional
expansion hours are being allocated to refine trips and improve reliability, which has been a cause of negative comment from
riders on some routes. Transit services are part-funded by Comox Valley Regional District, which has consistently supported
expansion plans and pledged money to help pay for them. Its chair, Greg Phelps - who is also Mayor of Courtenay - commented:
"The principles of sustainability will help shape our future with transit playing a key role in sustainable transportation.
"As the CVRD is a funding partner of our local transit system, we are very pleased to see the improvements in the transit
schedules and routes in the Comox Valley." For full route details, schedules and general inquiries, call the Comox
Valley Transit System at 250-339-5453 or visit www.bctransit.com
Nanaimo Daily
News : Saturday, April 24, 2010Transit users in Nanaimo say that planned expansion of the
bus system can't come fast enough and the man in control of the entire city fleet couldn't agree more. Bus riders
rarely heap praise on their local transit system. The students want more service at their schools, the seniors think the system
is geared toward students and everyone demands more buses. The Nanaimo Daily News recently spent a few days riding buses on
various routes, chosen at random, in order to see how the system works and to listen to what regular transit users had to
say.The Regional District of Nanaimo just launched the beginning of a phased expansion by adding 5,000 hours to the south-end
routes and additional routes, buses and hours are on their way for the third-largest system operated by B.C. Transit. There
are other ways to expand the service, but not all of them are easy to achieve. The regional district wants to work out a university
pass that could add at least $1.5 million to the $12-million budget, but student union members at Vancouver Island University
have refused, unless the system is expanded first. Pleasing everyone is difficult but as long as riders are complaining to
the right people, then there will always be pressure to expand, according to Dennis Trudeau, general manager of the RDN's
transportation services. "They want the same thing we want: more service," he said. "I don't have a problem
with that. That just means they're keeping on us to improve the system." Travelling from one end of the city
to the other can be difficult. One single mother chose to remain anonymous in order to avoid ridicule at work, but she said
transit's difficult and sometimes inconsistent scheduling forces her to spend a lot of time on buses or a lot of money
on taxi fares. She easily catches the No. 6 in the south end and then hops on the No. 15 Connector from VIU to her office
near Woodgrove, but when school gets out in June, that option is not longer available. In the summer she has to take the No.
6 downtown to the Prideaux exchange and then takes the No. 1 to Woodgrove. This option means she gets to work "ridiculously
early or a little bit late." There's no in- between. If she arrives late, she stays late, but even on those late
shifts, she sets an alarm to ensure she catches a bus just before 7 p.m. It's the only way she can get home at a "fairly
decent hour." Occasionally she carpools with co-workers, but when all else fails, she will spend $30 on a taxi to get
home to her kids. Routes in south Nanaimo appear much more cumbersome to navigate than those in the north end, according
to Tia Gagne, who works at Brooks Landing mall and lives in the north end. Some routes just don't seem to match up, she
explains. Once in a while, she can jump off a bus at VIU, only to watch the connector drive away just ahead of her. Gagne
said she is sometimes late for her 9 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. shifts at work. "The system doesn't cater to retail workers
and Sundays are just hopeless," she said. The RDN has expanded much of the south-end service, primarily the No. 5 and
No. 6 routes that service Fairview and Harewood neighbourhoods. Doubling the buses on these routes has led to an average of
40 passengers on the bus every hour. B.C. Transit considers 20-plus passengers a successful run.
Nanaimo has the third-largest
system operated by B.C. Transit. Victoria clocks the most hours at about 700,000, followed by Kelowna at 170,000 hours. The
regional district plans to double city's transit service by 2018, which means the fleet of buses will expand from 42 to
85. The system operates about 100,000 hours in a year, a figure that will jump to 200,000. The goal is to eliminate the need
for two- or three-car families, according to Trudeau. The RDN also added the No. 90 Intercity Connector, which travels
between B.C. Ferries Departure Bay terminal and Qualicum Beach. The buses get people to the ferry terminal as early as 8 a.m.
and has stops throughout Nanaimo and Parksville.Ridership varies among the routes, but there is clearly need for expansion
in some areas. Overflow buses are often used on the No. 44 route because full buses often leave people at bus stops, Trudeau
explained. Trudeau has pushed for a university pass, but the student union at Vancouver Island University regularly
refuses to send the issue to a referendum. Trudeau said the RDN offered a $60 per-semester pass, which is much cheaper than
the $158.50 they pay for a semester pass. The pass would add about $1.5 million dollars to the transit system and would give
students unlimited access to city transit. The union, however, wants the RDN to expand service before they agree to a U-pass.
"There is a bit of disappointment with VIU," Trudeau said. "We're the only university in B.C. without a
U-pass and I don't understand it." Not everyone has trouble with the system. Betty Robertson lives in one of
the scarcely populated pockets in the city that is difficult to get in and out of by bus. But every day, from her home on
Bowlsby Street, the white-haired Roberston strolls down to Old Victoria Road and waits for the No. 8. The bus rolls up around
9:40 a.m. Robertson doesn't like to stay home, she explains with a Scottish accent that is as thick as the day she arrived
decades ago. "I haven't a complaint for the buses," she said after taking her seat. "Don't tell me
the bus is rotten because I like it." Robertson has to catch this bus. It's the only one that passes her house, even
though it's heading south and she wants to go downtown to meet her friends. She can't catch the No. 9 North because
Hwy 1 has no pedestrian crossing and it would be a heck of a hike. So she takes the No. 8 to Southgate Plaza, where she could
transfer to the northbound bus. She doesn't though. She stays on as the bus becomes the No. 7 makes its way through Cinnabar
and Cedar. She likes the ride and the friends she sees every day.
Alberni
Valley Times : Friday, April 23, 2010Port Alberni's iconic steam train is back on the
rails for another season. The Alberni Pacific Railway's Number 7 Baldwin locomotive may be 81 years old, but she's
in excellent operating condition, according to officials from the Industrial Heritage Society. The former logging train engine
underwent her annual boiler inspection on Wednesday, at the hands of boiler safety officer Don Bishop of the B.C. Safety Authority.
It's part of a switch in jurisdictions, Bishop said. "We've taken over steam locomotives. They used to be handled
by the provincial railway branch, but they don't do steam boilers," he said. Bishop's agency (he's part-time)
has three inspectors on the Island, doing large boilers at mills, as well as hot water heaters and any other steam facilities. IHS
mechanic Dan Gledhill said the boiler had previously undergone a hydrostatic (water pressure) test, and was ready to undergo
the second phase - testing the two pressure-relief (pop-off) valves that protect the boiler from over-pressuring catastrophically.
"They're stamped with numbers, but we have to see if they meet the numbers," Bishop said. One of the vales is
near-new, the other is eight years old and re-conditioned. "The lower pressure valve blows at 195 pound per inch,"
Gledhill explained. "If the boiler turns out more pressure than it can handle, the higher pressure valve will lift at
200 psi." Bishop noted that on a manually-operated locomotive, the lower-pressure valve releases intermittently during
ordinary running as the steam builds up above the required level to power the train. It's rare to see both valves release
during operation, and it's almost impossible to build up that much pressure in a static situation, he said. "We'd
really have to over-fire to do that," Gledhill said. The solution is to alternately lock down each of the valves and
allow the pressure to build up the pop-off point. With engineer Rollie Hurst increasing the heat in the boiler, the low-pressure
release valve obediently lets loose a blast of steam at just under 195 psi. Then it's time to climb up on the top of the
engine to switch the brass housing that prevents the valve stem from lifting. "What's the pressure like?"
Gledhill asks as he loosens off the nuts. "One hundred and seventy-five pounds," Hurst replies from the cab. Gledhill
sneaks a look at the steaming boiler underneath him. "This is the part I don't like," he quips. For its part,
the high-pressure valve subsequently pops off several times, also at pressures in the 195 psi neighbourhood. "It will
need to be adjusted," Bishop said. "You don't want two valves releasing at once - it's a waste of steam,
for one thing." Gledhill said the train would make a test run out to McLean Mill later in the day. On Friday, visitors
to the Island Corridor Foundation seminar at the Best Western Barclay will take the first official trip to the mill at 12:30
p.m. IHS president Kevin Hunter said the train is already booked for passengers arriving on the first Carnival Cruise ship
of the season in Nanaimo on April 30. Hunter said that, thanks to recent upgrades, the locomotive is running at 100% availability.
Comox Valley
Echo : Friday, April 23, 2010The idea of a fixed cable ferry replacing the existing Buckley
Bay-Denman Island vessel is being supported by the local Area A advisory planning commission There has been some talk
in the area that a cable system might have an effect on the aquaculture industry in Baynes Sound, or affect current ferry
jobs. But after considering an application by B.C. Ferries to the province's integrated land management bureau for an
expansion of its licence to allow the operation of such a service, the committee decided to back it. Their
view was reported to the regional district's electoral areas services committee on Monday. They had agreed that they "did
not see any issues with the B.C. Ferries application and support the licence of occupation for the cable ferry." They
added: "The Area A advisory planning commission found this expansion would provide benefits."
Harbour City Star : Friday,
April 23, 2010Foot passengers travelling with baggage will likely have to deal with a new bag check-in
system at B.C. Ferry terminals, the president and chief executive officer of B.C. Ferries said on Sunday. Hahn said the ferry
corporation is studying systems that will make B.C. Ferries safer for its passengers and staff members and but implementation
date has been set. "For years, this has been too casual," said Hahn. He said until recent changes at B.C.
Ferry terminals, anybody could drop off a suitcase or knapsack at one end and have someone else pick it up at the other end.
"Nobody checked the bags. There could have been drugs, bombs, anything in those bags." B.C. Ferries Services
is spending $25,000 to study improvements to the security of the system and Hahn said people shouldn't be surprised with
this. "Just look at the history of the world in the last 10 years," he said. "I think we have an obligation
to the public and our employees to ensure that we are doing everything possible to make our system as safe as is possible."
While the ferry corporation has set aside up to $641,000 to implement the baggage check-in changes for walk-on passengers,
Hahn said it's far too soon to think it will cost that much. "Right now, all we have done is decided to see how a
new check-in system will work, but I will say that changes to that system are more likely than not." Hahn doesn't
believe the change will be an added inconvenience to walk-on passengers. "I don't think it will slow down the process
at all. It's going to be like what passengers do when they board an airplane. They will get receipts or tags for their
luggage," he said. "And once they reach the other side, they will give one of our employees the tag and they will
give them their bags." Transport Canada is looking at new rules to govern luggage and Hahn wants B.C. Ferries to
be ready. "The world has changed and we can't ignore that." He said he'd rather take some proactive measures
now than wait until a major incident aboard a ferry occurs.
BC Ferries introduces biodiesel to its fleet
April
21, 2010
BC Ferries is pleased to announce that the fleet is now using 5 per cent, or B5
biodiesel to fuel its vessels, making the company one of the largest consumers of biodiesel
in British Columbia. BC Ferries is now burning
a B5 fuel blend in all service areas where the product is available. Thirty-one out
of thirty-six ships are using the cleaner-burning fuel. BC Ferries worked with
its fuel supplier, Chevron, for over a year before implementing the new product in
order to ensure that the safety and reliability of the vessels would not be compromised.
The Queen of Alberni, which operates on the Tsawwassen – Duke Point route, was
the first vessel to trial B5 biodiesel in September 2009. “BC Ferries is a leader
in the use of ultra low sulphur fuel to reduce emissions,” said Mark Collins,
BC Ferries’ Vice President of Engineering and Terminal Construction. “Adopting biofuel
helps us further reduce our fleet emissions.” B5 fuel blend is a mix of
5 per cent canola-based biodiesel with 95 per cent low sulphur petroleum diesel. Biodiesel
burns cleaner with significantly less unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate
matter in emissions. A two-year
courtship between low cost carriers WestJet and U.S.-based Southwest Airlines on sharing access to flights will be officially
over by mid May, according to the airlines Friday. "Together, we believe that ending the agreement is best for both companies
at this point in time," commented Hugh Dunleavy, WestJet's Executive vice-president, planning and strategy. Earlier
on Friday Southwest announced its "intent to terminate" a code share deal which would have enabled both airlines
to offer connecting services on each other's cross-border flights. The proposed
partnership had been on rocky ground since last year when the recession grounded a chunk of leisure and business travel. The
deal would have given the two carriers a foothold in each other's territories, a much-wanted expansion for Calgary-based
WestJet. WestJet added discord to discussions this year after trying to change the terms of the original pact, then announcing
in early April it was in discussions with rival Delta Air Lines of Atlanta, Southwest said. Neither
WestJet nor Southwest outlined details of the proposed changes. Southwest said it would still consider partnering with Canadian
carriers in the future, or flying north itself. Nanaimo Daily
News : Saturday, April 10, 2010The Port of Nanaimo's
plan to put a $22-million cruise ship terminal on the waterfront will move ahead. An
agreement was reached between the Snuneymuxw First Nation, the port authority and the federal government that will allow the
project to proceed while details of the environmental review are dealt with separately. The
project has been held up since Snuneymuxw Chief Doug White made it clear the band isn't satisfied the Crown consulted
adequately with the Snuneymuxw on the project. Concerns were raised that the project would trample Douglas Treaty rights dating
back 155 years, which include protection of the fisheries.The Nanaimo Port Authority sounded the alarm that the project was
in jeopardy when the April 1 deadline passed and the impasse remained. Officials from federal departments of infrastructure
and transportation flew in on Wednesday to begin face-to-face talks to resolve the matter. On Friday, the Snuneymuxw announced
an agreement had been reached. Port officials could not be immediately reached
for comment, but White said he is pleased with the outcome. "We are now supportive
of the cruise ship facility because the port authority has agreed our environmental concerns need to be addressed," White
said. "The relationship the Snuneymuxw First Nation will have on an ongoing basis with the cruise ship facility is subject
to negotiations." The agreement calls for an environmental review process that
will happen independently in Nanaimo, which will allow the construction to proceed separately. "The project can proceed," White said. "The tendering, all that. We've come to an arrangement
that the project can proceed." The project was looking more and more to be doomed before Friday. The $8.5 million in federal infrastructure funding comes with a requirement that the project must be complete by
March 31. The plan is to build a dock large enough to accommodate 300-metre cruise ships but a six-month fisheries window
will limit the time when construction can happen in the sensitive estuary. Port officials
warned tendering needed to get underway by April 1, but when that deadline came and
went it was moved to April 7. Without a solution reached on Wednesday, talks continued and the deadline was extended to Friday.
"It did take a bit of time," White said. "One of the elements of this
is to ensure the environmental concerns are properly addressed." Fisheries habitat for salmon, crab and shellfish are
a major part of those concerns. The federal environmental review process resulted in the creation of a detailed report on
the estuary, but the report wasn't in the federal officials' briefcases when they arrived Wednesday. "It should have been here today," White said Friday. "It should arrive Monday, I
guess." The Snuneymuxw will conduct their own environmental review during
the next few months to ensure the project "proceeds in a sustainable manner," including respecting Douglas Treaty
rights, and that "potential negative impacts are minimized," according to a press release from the band. The port
authority is expected to get the federal permits it needs soon, but the Snuneymuxw will issue a report in the next month "outlining
measures that need to be taken to mitigate potential impacts of the project," the band said. The process then calls for
both sides to reach an agreement on those measures, "with the help of a mediator if needed." The partnership is
expected to be complete within two months.
Alberni Valley Times : Friday, April 09, 2010One day in the not-too-distant future, visitors to Port Alberni might arrive by train to pedal and trek a spectacular
loop that takes in half of Vancouver Island. For now it's little more than a vision for staff at the Island Corridor Foundation,
the organization spearheading the resurgence of rail use on Vancouver Island. But if things go the way they hope, rail travel
will begin taking steps in the right direction as early as next spring. It will be one of the small steps forward for the
foundation, the latest of which is to ask VIA Rail to move the Island's rail hub north from Victoria to Nanaimo. "We're
saying to them that it makes more sense to move the rail to the Nanaimo hub so that morning trains leave north and south,
rather than just one long run," said Graham Bruce, director of the foundation. "By bringing the yard up to Nanaimo
and making your first run south you can actually start to provide a service that's makes sense to people on a direct basis
going to work." Luring people out of their cars and onto the train is crucial
to the success of Island rail service. But the foundation has its work cut out for it. It's considering ways of attracting
some 800 employees who work at the Esquimalt navy base in Victoria and live north of the Malahat highway. For now most of
those employees use carpool service and to get them onto a train "there's got to be some good thought given to how
you would do that," said Bruce. While the commuter trains in the morning and afternoon are important potential revenue
generators, rail service through the day is equally important and arguably even harder to fill. So Bruce and the rest of the
foundation are focusing their attention on tourism, specifically hiking and biking. Foundation officials are counting on a
spine trail that would enable hikers and bikers to trek from Victoria to Courtenay and out to Port Alberni. "So the new
cars we're looking for will hopefully have the ability to carry bicycles as well," said Bruce. "And this is
longer range, but there's a fair amount of trail development already taking place and with those new cars, that capacity
we're seeing is a whole opportunity for tourism development to take place with the hiking and biking and the services
that go with that." But the Island Corridor Foundation isn't solely
reliant on passengers. Freight is another money earner, though service to Port Alberni will require spending money before
it can earn money. The cost of upgrading the rail spur out to Port Alberni so that it can handle the tremendous weight of
a fully-loaded coal train is expected to cost in the millions. For now the money isn't there, though Bruce said he's
very hopeful it will be by the time a proposed coal mine opens near Fanny Bay in 2012. While there is so far nothing new on
the ground, the plan to return the Island's once popular and now almost abandoned rail service to its glory days is steadily
getting the attention of local residents. "We're starting to get some incoming calls about putting in spur lines
here and spur lines there," he said. "There is an increase in interest."
Nanaimo Daily News : Thursday, April 08, 2010Hopes to restart the stalled $22-million cruise ship facility project have failed, despite
a day of talks between the Nanaimo Port Authority, federal officials and the Snuneymuxw First Nation. Representatives
from two federal departments arrived in Nanaimo yesterday to talk about concerns the Snuneymuxw have with a cruise ship terminal
the Nanaimo Port Authority proposes for its assembly wharf industrial dock site. By
the end of the day, little information was flowing except for a brief statement from Chief Doug White via a conference call
and two short e-mail messages from NPA president Bernie Dumas. The underlying message
is that talks are continuing, but no one knows for how long, or when the drop-dead deadline for the project will be. Port officials sounded the alarm last week by saying that without prompt approval the project will
be dead in the water, due to a narrow six-month window for construction and a March 31, 2011, completion deadline in order
to qualify for $8.5 million in federal infrastructure funding. Dumas said the
project is "taking on water but the importance of the project . . . warrants working a few more days to secure a solution."
He wouldn't say how much time is left to start the project. White described talks with Infrastructure Canada as a "preliminary
meeting" to start the consultation process. "Snuneymuxw has existing rights that we need to sit down with federal
authorities to sort out how those rights may be impacted and what we can do to avoid any impact," White said. Addressing
the port's concerns about project delays and the loss of funding, White said: "That's not an issue that Snuneymuxw
has been in control of, it's something between the feds and the port authority. The federal government and Snuneymuxw
have some work to get through to address the environmental assessment and that's what the meeting today was about."
Some see the project as another step in diversifying the economy and to move
forward with downtown revitalization. White insists Snuneymuxw wasn't properly consulted. The cruise ship dock can't
start without a federal environmental assessment stamp of approval. "We're
continuing discussions," said Tamara Skillen-Haynes, manager of Environmental Reviews and Approvals.
Nanaimo Daily News Thursday, April 08, 2010
The Island Corridor Foundation has been given an extension to May 1 to raise the remainder of the
money needed to restore Nanaimo's historic train station on Selby Street. The ICF was facing a deadline of April 15 to
raise the remaining $391,000 needed to move forward with the $2.4-million heritage restoration project at the station, or
face the possibility of having it torn down. The deadline has been extended because of delays in the engineering drawings
and an extension in the tendering process. Later this month, bids will be received
for the reconstruction work and the Young Professionals of Nanaimo, who are leading the fundraising effort, hope that they
will see $150,000 to $200,000 in savings from some of Nanaimo's leading constructions businesses.The YPN hopes that by
combining this with the money they still hope to raise will meet the goal. However, YPN president Andre Sullivan said there's
still a lot of work to do.
BC FERRIES INTRODUCES VEHICLE RESERVATIONS ON
THE COMOX – POWELL RIVER ROUTE VICTORIA – BC Ferries is pleased to introduce vehicle reservations for people travelling between Comox and Powell River. The new service is based
on the company’s popular reserved boarding option on major routes between Mainland,
Vancouver Island and Sunshine Coast destinations. Expanding vehicle reservations
to include the Comox-Powell River crossing has received widespread support from customers,
local businesses and BC Ferries’ Northern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee.
“We are constantly looking at ways to improve customer service,” said Mike
Corrigan, BC Ferries’ Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Introducing
reservations on the Comox – Powell River route will make travelling with BC Ferries
even easier.” Approximately 25 per cent of the vessel capacity will be allocated
to advance reservations. Vehicle reservations can be booked online or by phone up to
two-and-a-half hours prior to the scheduled sailing time. Passenger vehicle reservations are available for $15.00 when booked more than seven days in advance. For reservations booked less than seven days in advance, the fee is $17.50. Reservations must be claimed at the ticket booth at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled
sailing time. Late arrivals will not be honoured. For more details or to book your
reservation, visit www.bcferries.com or call 1-888-BCFERRY. Nanaimo Daily News : Saturday,
April 03, 2010The Nanaimo Port Authority has suspended its plans to put a $22-million cruise ship terminal
in the harbour, citing delays in the federal environmental review process. The port authority needed the environmental assessment
done by April 1 so it could begin the tendering process to start work on the mega-project and when that day ended without
word from the federal government, it issued a statement saying the project has been suspended. The project has $5 million
from the port authority, $8.5 million from two provincial funding sources and an $8.5-million federal funding commitment,
which is only available if the project is complete by March 31, 2011. A federal fisheries window
limits when the port can build on the seabed and that means work has to get going immediately. The port authority's plan
is to build a floating cruise ship dock out from the existing industrial assembly wharf. The Snuneymuxw First Nation has land
claim interests in the Wilcox Yard property adjacent to the assembly wharf but the port authority insists that land is out
of its control.
A last-minute reprieve from Ottawa could possibly allow the project to go ahead, but hope for
the project to proceed is fading fast. "It's a timing issue," said Bob Bennie, port authority board chairman.
"We're waiting for the federal government to provide the permits and we're running out of time." The announcement
was made late on Thursday. Brian O'Connell of Island Shipping Ltd., port agent for Norwegian, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean
cruise lines, said it "could definitely have an impact" on the industry's plans to expand in Nanaimo. Port
authority officials are now toning down concerns voiced earlier around Snuneymuxw First Nations' land claims and the role
that could play in holding up the application. After Doug White replaced the late Viola Wyse as chief, he said the First Nation
wasn't properly consulted on the project. A protocol agreement Wyse signed in 2007 set the stage for co-operation on the
issue. Bennie said "I wouldn't speculate on that at all," regarding what role the Snuneymuxw's new position
is playing in holding up the project. Port authority president Bernie Dumas said the Snuneymuxw are part of the consultation
process "and we've been working with them but our problem is getting the environmental application passed. That's
all I can say on that." The continuing delays are a letdown for the port authority. "This is a major project
for the community, so we're very disappointed," Bennie said. The federal environmental application was first made
in July 2009. Dumas said it's conceivable the project could still be saved, but time is short. "If they call us Tuesday,
can we do it? Maybe, but there's a lot of things needed to proceed. We've been in a regrettable situation this last
week.
BC Ferries developing first ROF
Island
Tides, April 1, 2010
BC Ferries, following its policy of leading the world in innovation,
is quietly equipping Coastal Inspiration to be the first Remotely Operated Ferry (ROF) in service anywhere. The work is being
carried out at the Esquimalt Graving Dock, under heavy security. The facility is often used for work on Royal Canadian Navy
ships, and British Columbia's Ferry Service officials feel that it is an ideal site for this ground-breaking technical
project.
The need for an ROF arose after extensive study of the sinking
of the Queen of the North; it was eventually concluded that the cause of the grounding was ‘the personnel on the bridge’.
A search of records for all previous ferry incidents, going back fifty years, showed that in each case, there had been personnel
on the bridge at the time, confirming management’s conclusion.
Thus the radical idea was born that ultimate safety on the ferries could be achieved by running the vessels with no crew
whatsoever. It was reasoned that if the absence of humans on the bridge could improve navigational safety, then eliminating
the deck crew could eliminate accidents when loading and unloading the vessel, completely automating the cafeteria would cut
out any problems with food services, and eliminating the engineering staff would halt any problems with the engines and other
systems.
BC Ferries’ financial staff could also see significant
potential cost savings, thus avoiding serious financial problems. They felt that the ship conversion would be preferable to
an alternative ROF, a Remotely Operated Finance department. The technology for an ROF has only been developed in the last
few years. Drawing on the GPS and internet innovations that have made possible BC Ferries’ vessel tracking webpage,
combined with control systems developed for the operation of pilotless drones in the Afghan war, and interfacing them with
heavily digitized automatic pilot, proximity warning systems, stealth technology, and radar equipment drawn from aircraft
applications, the sophisticated systems on the Coastal Inspiration will make it all possible. Announcements on board will
be made by a computerized voice messaging system, as used by telephone companies throughout the world.
The vessel will be controlled from a small, windowless room on the top floor of BC Ferries’
headquarters. Since the Coastal Inspiration is a double-ended ferry, two operating consoles will be required, with two operators,
one to come and one to go. They will be cross-trained so that either operator can operate the ferry in reverse if required,
a further safety precaution.
At the Esquimalt graving dock, the design
and installation teams have priority access to the military technology involved, while being assured of absolute protection
from industrial or maritime espionage. A covering rumour involving engine trouble is being circulated.
Visiting experts from other countries can be landed by submarine without attracting attention.
The work will be completed on schedule and on budget, neither of which has been published. It is possible that the conversion
to remote operation may be completed by April 1st of this year, or if not, by April 1st, 2011. A new slogan for BC Ferries
is being considered to succeed ‘Bringing you home for 50 years’. It is ‘BC Ferries— completely crewless’.
As of April 1, out of respect for BC Ferries’
security concerns, Island Tides have made no effort to confirm any of the above; it is pure speculation. The union has also
not been consulted.
 Randy
Wright, Harbour Air senior vice-president in charge of sales and marketing, said West Coast Air will continue to operate under
its own brand and that terminals in Victoria and Vancouver harbours would remain for now. No financial terms were revealed
by either company. They both operate scheduled service between downtown Victoria
and Vancouver as well as charters, tours and freight to the Gulf Islands, Sunshine Coast and communities on Vancouver Island
and the Lower Mainland. Harbour Air is owned by Greg McDougall of Vancouver, who is majority shareholder, and restaurateur
Brent Davies, a minority partner. West Coast Air -- formerly known as Baxter Air -- is operated by the Baxter family, which
has run scheduled and chartered service on the West Coast for 35 years. West
Coast Air has six 18-passenger Twin Otter aircraft and nine Beaver planes, each holding six passengers. All are amphibious
craft. Harbour Air, which calls itself the largest seaplane company in the world, has 34 aircraft, mostly single-engine Beavers,
and also operates a helicopter service to the Fraser Valley. Wright said the recession, poor tourism numbers and cutbacks
on government travel played a role in bringing the two airlines together. "The economy being down, they were seeing reduced
passenger loads," Wright said. "In this business there are plenty of synergies, so there it made a lot of sense
to get together and do things like accounting, marketing. ... It's a high-cost business with fuel, wages and maintenance
costing a lot of money, and I think both sides see a lot of savings." Rick
Baxter, president and CEO of West Coast Air and the airline's second-generation owner, wasn't immediately available
for comment. The company also operates out of Nanaimo, Comox and Sechelt, adding the last after buying Pacific Wings two years
ago. Wright said West Coast Air "lost some market share during the downturn" and Harbour Air was "holding our
own." He said government travel -- with business clients the lion's share of passengers in the off-season -- is down
15 to 20 per cent this year after the provincial government cut back on travel budgets. The tourism season has also been declining
the past several years, although Wright believes the 2010 Olympic Winter Games will play a role in increasing passenger loads
slightly this summer, and more in 2011. He said Harbour Air had a "nice recovery" when the sun was shining over
the last half of the Games last month as international tourists took side trips to Victoria and other locations. "Our
phones blew off the wall," said Wright, who is also chairman of Tourism Victoria, the region's destination marketing
organization. "There's no question the Olympics will be good for us, just not right away," said Wright. West Coast Air operates six terminals -- two on the Lower Mainland, one at Coal Harbour near Canada
Place and the other on the Fraser River at Sea Air on Inglis Drive; as well as terminals in Victoria's Inner Harbour,
Nanaimo, Comox and Sechelt. Harbour Air operates full-service terminals in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Richmond and Langley.
The airline also flies out of Maple Bay near Duncan, and Ganges and Bedwell harbours. Nanaimo Daily News : Monday, March 29, 2010Organizers of Saturday's Wild West Express fundraiser to help rebuild Nanaimo's historic
E and N Railway Station are thrilled with the results. Arsonists torched the
Selby Street station in the summer of 2007. It is feared the historic building maybe torn down unless those who want to see
the station restored can raise $400,000. The station is a key historical building in
the city and has federal and municipal heritage status.Officials have said the fate of the station is uncertain if the $400,000
shortfall toward the $2.4-million heritage restoration project is not raised. Last
fall the Island Corridor Foundation learned it would receive the insurance coverage the foundation inherited from VIA Rail
when it took over the station. Formed in 2005 by a coalition of 13 First Nations and
local governments, the ICF wants to use the rail corridor as a way to decrease greenhouse gases, expand tourism and be an
economic generator for the Island. Recently, Tourism Nanaimo and officials with
the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership learned it was imperative to raise the necessary funding in order to save the historic station.
"If we don't act now, it will be lost," Downtown Nanaimo Partnership
executive director Matt Hussmann said. The ICF hopes to restore the train station to
its original glory but also to modern building standards. The ICF must adhere to Heritage
Canada guidelines and use as much original material as possible to rebuild the station, at a cost of $2.5 million.
The
Young Professionals of Nanaimo are trying to help the ICF raise enough money to have the building restored. Andre Sullivan of the YPN said he's confident the fundraiser, which saw a steam locomotive leave Nanaimo for
Duncan, will exceed the $40,000 target the young professionals and the Downtown Nanaimo Partnership had hoped to reach."I can't tell you exactly how much we raised because we are still counting the money,"
Sullivan said Sunday afternoon. "I can tell you it was much more than we could
have expected." Saturday's event was to demonstrate the viability of
tourism rail excursions, he said. Approximately 220 people bought the $200 a ticket to ride Wild West Express, which ended
with a raffle, auction and dinner at the Quw'utsun' Cultural Centre in Duncan. "I
would say that this event proves that excursion tourism trains, if handled properly, will work on Vancouver Island,"
said Sullivan. Last Wednesday, Don Evans of the West Coast Railway Association
gave a speech during the ICF's "Get on the Train" workshop in which he praised the ICF, and its partners for
wanting to restore excursion train travel on Vancouver Island. The WCRA loaned the
vintage rail cars that were used in Saturday's Wild West Express. The ICF has a
wonderful opportunity to make its vision of making the Island's railway corridor a tourist destination a success, said
Evans. "I believe that Vancouver Island could develop itself as a tourist destination
for train travel if it's done right," he said. Lindsay Windecker of
the DNP said she was also happy with the turnout for the event. "We are absolutely
thrilled with the support we received from the public but it will be a day or so before we know our final tally," said
Windecker. Those aboard the Wild West Express saw a mock kidnapping where bandits entered
the train and carted away "Miss Kitty," said Windecker. "We held an
auction to pay Miss Kitty's ransom," said Windecker. "It was a real success."
Olympic transit may turn small profit Bowen Island Undercurrent : March 23, 2010
Higher fare revenue during the Olympics should ensure TransLink at least breaks even on
the extra service it added to carry huge numbers of passengers to free concerts, pavilions and street parties. Vanoc is paying
TransLink $17 million to cover the extra transit added to handle Games spectators – whose tickets included an extra
fee for transit use – as well as workers and volunteers. But far more people boarded the system than the expected numbers
going to official Games venues. Final statistics
released Monday show an average of 1.58 million people used transit each weekday of the Olympics, up 31 per cent from normal
levels. That meant running most of the system at or near capacity during the Games and running not just the 160 reserve buses
TransLink had readied but still more by raiding spares in the maintenance yards. Those extra costs should be more than covered
by the cash fares as well as discount tickets and passes sold during the Games, spokesman Ken Hardie said. "We'll
probably do a little bit better than break-even," he said, adding the accounting isn't finished but a big profit
isn't expected. More than 26 million people rode transit during the 17 days
of the Olympics and they overwhelmingly took rapid transit lines. Canada Line carried an average of 228,000 people per Olympic
weekday – more than double a normal weekday. It hit more than triple normal levels on weekends. The Expo and Millennium
Lines racked up 394,000 trips per weekday, up 64 per cent, but that ballooned to more than triple normal on Olympic Saturdays
and four and a half times normal levels on Sundays. SeaBus also ran at more than double its normal weekday levels, carrying
nearly 44,000 daily. On weekends, SeaBuses carried around five times their normal numbers. West Coast Express carried 58 per cent more passengers than normal, or 17,400 per day. One train rolled with a record
2,970 passengers, more than double the 1,350 seated capacity. Regular buses, however, recorded only an eight per cent increase,
to 896,000 daily boardings during the Games. That didn't mean Olympics travellers shunned the bus system, Hardie said.
Instead, the lower number there is because of a roughly 30 per cent decline in regular transit passengers. Universities weren't
in session, many people scheduled holidays during the Games and still others found ways to telework rather than commute, Hardie
said. Building the price of transit into event tickets is something that could
be pursued in the future with other major sports or cultural events, Hardie said. "If we can work an arrangement like
that with the Lions and the Canucks and some of the promoters that put on some of these big shows, then we'll do that,"
he said. The theory is that concert- or game-goers whose tickets give them transit use would ride instead of drive and park,
but making spectators pay for transit that they might not use would be a decision for event organizers. The Olympic shift to transit depended heavily on a successful 30 per cent cut in vehicle trips into
downtown, spurred by road and parking restrictions. It was also crucial that key destinations were close to rapid transit
stops. Hardie said it was almost a temporary return to the old hub-and-spoke travel
pattern where people overwhelmingly headed downtown. The reality of daily Metro
Vancouver commuting now is that trips crisscross the region with no consistent pattern and are much harder to serve by transit.
But TransLink CEO Ian Jarvis said one lesson of the Games is that it underscores the importance for efficient transportation
of concentrating high-density housing, employment and other popular destinations along frequent transit corridors as the region
grows. Jarvis hopes what was a first-time experience taking transit for many will be
repeated in the future. He also said it was a chance to prove "what it's possible to deliver in the future." TransLink quickly scaled back service to regular levels once the Games ended and is dependent on
increased funding to carry out an aggressive expansion plan supported by Metro Vancouver mayors.
THE NUMBERS
Total Olympic trips: 26.1
million Olympic weekday average: 1.58 million SkyTrain (Expo/Millennium Lines) one-day record Feb. 20: 567,000 Canada
Line one-day record Feb. 19: 287,400 Extra Park and Ride spaces opened: 4,900 Hits on online Trip Planner: 748,000 TransLink tweets
on Twitter during Games: 800
TSB recommending all passengers be ID’d before boarding
ferries
Gabriola Sounder : Tuesday, March
23 2010
Identifying every passenger boarding ferries
carrying more than 400 people is one recomendation from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada released this past week,
following investigations into the Queen of the North and the Joseph and Clara Smallwood incidents. In the report, the TSB
states, “During an emergency, it is essential that all passengers be accounted for and, in the case of an abandonment,
for example, that they board survival craft in an organized, efficient manner.”
BC Ferries is regulated by
Transport Canada, not the TSB. Transport Canada could take the recommendations from the TSB report and implement them, something
Deborah Marshall with BC Ferries says would mean a considerable increase in cost and change in ferry schedules. “Our
concern is the cost to implement such a system,” she said. “I wouldn’t want to have to implement this for
Gabriola. The people that show up right before a sailing would need to get ID’d for a twenty minute trip.”
Right now the BC Ferries policy, based on current Transport Canada regulations, is to have an accurate passenger count
on all sailings. With the Gabriola route, passengers are tracked on the Nanaimo side by the point-of-sale system and on the
Gabriola side by deckhands as passengers board. Deborah said, “the TSB is suggesting we have the names [of passengers]
“We have a passenger manifest system on the two northern routes because of the duration of those. People show
up two and a half to three hours ahead of time and all the names are ID’d.” Deborah added the impact on sailing
schedules and cost would also have an effect on tourism. “People that come from Vancouver, they’re going to decide
they don’t want to bother with all of the trouble.” Currently, the TSB recomendations are not being put in to
effect by Transport Canada.
Deborah said concerns about the recomendations could be voiced directly to Transport
Canada’s office in Ottawa, or through MP Jean Crowder’s office.
$16M later, the Quinsam scheduled to return April 15
Gabriola Sounder : Tuesday, March
23 2010
If things stay on schedule,
the Quinsam will be returning to service for the Gabriola-Nanaimo crossing on April 15 - that according to BC Ferries spokespersons
Darin Guenette and Deborah Marshall. Darin and Deborah recently invited the members of the Gabriola Ferry Advisory Committee
to tour the Quinsam in the Deas Dock Refit Complex in Richmond this past Monday to see the various improvements in progress.
This is phase two of a mid-life refit for the Quinsam, the first phase was completed in the spring of 2009.
Darin
explained the end cost of the two phases, “is over $16M. An approximate cost of a comparable new vessel is $45M, plus
three years delivery time. “Overall, there isn’t a system or area on this ship that has not improved, refurbished
or renewed. She has been comprehensively rebuilt.”
Phase 2 involved installing: all new safety and evacuatio
n systems, four new propulsion systems, new electrical generators and switchboards, a new wheel house with all new controls
and electronics, steel replacement thought upper works of vessel, all new coatings throughout, four new lounge interiors,
new washrooms, new security systems including many cameras with recorders, and upgrades to sewage treatment plant.
BC Ferries Sr. Master Michael Smith explained, “the security cameras won’t be monitored, but they will be recorded,
so at anytime we can look back and see what’s been recorded. “It’s been an ongoing project for the past
three years, and now we have the technology to help us reduce the vandalism.” In terms of seeing vandalism on the boat
reduced, Michael added, “I think that with our new equipment, we’re going to get a lot more respect from the public.
When you walk in to a facility that looks good, looks well maintained and built out of quality materials people are much more
likely to respect that space.”
Michael explained that the Quinsam crew looks to the FAC to provide feedback
to the crew. "We need your help. We build the ship, we run the ship, but you guys are the ones out there talking with
the public and can let us know what can be done [improved] with the ship.
“The FAC is a very useful vehicle
for providing feedback from the public.”
The Quinsam will be arriving a few days ahead of the 15th to go
through safety drills and final checks before going in to service. This will involve drills with the Coast Guard and doing
runs between Gabriola and Nanaimo.
Comox Valley Echo : Friday, March 19, 2010
The true cost of riding a bus in the Comox Valley was revealed this week. Passengers on local Transit
pay less than a quarter of the real operating expenses when they buy tickets and passes. The balance comes from provincial
and local government taxpayer subsidies. The figures had been requested by Courtenay Coun. Larry Jangula, who has been expressing
concern about the costs of Transit on taxpayers for some time - especially with plans to further expand the service. But other
elected representatives have argued that helping subsidize a network of bus services on which people can rely is an essential
part of building a sustainable community. At Tuesday's meeting of Comox Valley Regional District, Jangula got his answers. B.C. Transit has worked out the true cost per passenger journey by dividing the total costs of running
Comox Valley services by the number of riders. The figure is $4.67 per ride - but the average passenger fare is just $1.01,
about 22 per cent of the total. The province provides the lion's share of the subsidy as part of the government's
wider policy of encouraging more people to take Transit and get out of their cars. It
contributes $2.22, or just over 47 per cent of the cost of each ride from provincial taxes. The remainder is stumped up through
local property taxes - $1.44 per ride, or about 31 per cent. The average fare
for a standard bus trip was worked out by adding up all the fare income - for both adults and children - as well as the money
paid for bus passes and the like, and then dividing it by the number of journeys. Separate calculations were used for the
HandiDart service, the specialist door-to-door Transit facility for people with mobility issues operating in some parts of
the regional district. For that specialist service, the true operating costs work out at $20.92 per journey, but the average
passenger fare is just $1.60. The province makes up $13.08 of the subsidy per ride and local government $6.24. Long-delayed enhancements to local bus services are expected to be implemented in early May, subject
to final budget approval. These are expected to take the number of passenger rides in the Comox Valley to 625,000 a year when
another 3,200 hours of service are added to schedules.
Nanaimo
Daily News : Wednesday, March 17, 2010More and more businesses
are getting aboard the Young Professionals of Nanaimo campaign to restore the city's historic E&N Railway Station. Recently, Windsor Plywood announced its support of the station restoration project and has committed
more than $10,000 toward the project. Windsor Plywood said it would offer a discount on some materials used in the restoration
project.Windsor's announcement follows a $5,000 donation from Central Drugs received earlier this month and puts the YPN
just $350,000 shy of their goal of raising $2.4 million for the project. "We
are getting closer every day," said president Andre Sullivan says. "The community support behind this project is
growing and the donation from Windsor Plywood is a great example of just how much this project means to the people of Nanaimo.
There is still a gap to close, but with continued donations from both individuals and businesses we can get there." The next big fundraising push for the Young Professionals is the Wild West Express event on March
27. Tickets are now available for the event called 'a dinner delegation to save the train station.' To book your ticket
on the Wild West Express or to donate to the restoration project, visit www.nanaimotrainstation.org
or call Andre at 250-616-1111.
Comox Valley
Echo : Tuesday, March 16, 2010The local ferry advisory committee
is asking the provincial government to change the Coastal Ferry Act so as to better protect ferry service on minor routes.
Ferry users on Denman and Hornby islands have seen the fares they pay to traverse Baynes Sound and the Lambert Channel escalate
by 83 per cent since B.C. Ferries switched from a Crown to a quasi-private corporation seven years ago. "We've seen the fares galloping up," said Tony Law, chair of the Coastal Communities
Ferry Advisory Committee. "We're not expecting to go for a free ride, it's a question of finding that balance."The
only thing articulated in the legislation is that the (ferry) system should move towards user pay, but I haven't been
able to find anybody, inside the ministry or outside, who can explain exactly what that means." If ferry users paid for
the entire cost of running the system, the cost of the fare would be "totally ridiculous," said Law. "They
just could not go there," he said. "We do acknowledge the fact that the ferry system is expensive to operate, but
it's a factor of geography. "We also compare coastal communities with mountain communities, where a lot of (money)
has to go into snow removal and dealing with avalanches and so on. British Columbia has difficult geography and if we're
going to make all of our communities accessible, it is a bit of a costly business." Law placed much of the blame for the dramatic fare increases at the feet of the provincial government. They handed
over aging and inadequately maintained terminals and vessels to the ferry corporation when it was created, he said. "There's
a lot of catch up to do that's now falling on the shoulders of ferry users," said Law. Ominously, transportation
ministry Shirley Bond warned in a March 9 letter to the Islands Trust that the province currently spends $59 million to support
ferries in the Islands Trust area. "No other small communities in British Columbia benefit from this degree of sustained
transportation funding," she wrote. Law said that the ferry service should
look at cost efficiencies, such as the proposed cable ferry for the Buckley Bay-Denman route, but there was no "silver
bullet" that would cut expenses enough to have the desired impact on fares. As such, the committee is asking the legislation
to change such that it not only considers the cost of the service but also enshrines the need to protect the vital interests
of the communities concerned. "A lot of people travel to the islands, it
is a provincial asset," said Law. "It's not just the residents that benefit from the ferry service." The province is currently reviewing B.C. Ferries' governance in the wake of a damning Comptroller
General's report that said the corporation's top officials were overpaid and called for more transparency and accountability
at the ferry corp. The report has been dismissed as "biased," "nonsense," "craziness" and "dumb"
by B.C. Ferries president David Hahn.
The Spirit of Vancouver Island also had a close call with a pleasure craft on May 15 while approaching the dock at
Swartz Bay. “The ferry had to go full astern on its engines to avoid a collision,” the report found. On June 26,
the 54-metre ferry Kahloke narrowly avoided the U.S. fishing vessel Haida Warrior in Lambert Channel, between Hornby and Denman
islands. On Sept. 25, the 139-metre Queen of Alberni reported a close-quarters situation with the crab fishing vessel Vung
Tau off Tsawwassen. The five incidents are officially labelled “collisions
— near.” B.C. Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said the five near collisions must be compared against
the fleet’s 182,500 sailings per year. She described near collisions as “any time you need to take avoiding action.”
Marshall added it is fleet policy that captains report all incidents to Transport Canada and the Transportation Safety Board.
She added B.C. Ferries did follow-up investigations on some of the incidents, but refused to provide details. Among the other reportable incidents involving B.C. Ferries in 2009, a vehicle caught fire Jan.
25 on board the Queen of Vancouver while it was docked at Tsawwassen. Delta fire department put the fire out. Two crew suffered
smoke inhalation. The Spirit of British Columbia on Oct. 27 “accidentally let go its anchor” while exiting Active
Pass, the report found. There were 13 incidents involving mechanical malfunctions related to engine and electrical problems Cowichan
Valley Citizen : Friday, March 12, 2010
Those looking
to take the bus on Wednesday, June 2 and Friday Dec. 17 can do so without rooting for their pockets for change. The Cowichan Valley Regional Transit System will operate at no charge to riders those days in support
of Clean Air Day in June and "to celebrate the holiday season" in December. The complimentary rides apply to standard
busses and HandyDART vehicles.On Remembrance Day (Nov. 11) both conventional and HandyDART vehicles will also be free to ride. In addition, during the Week of Nov. 7-13 there will be no charge for veterans and Armed Forces
personnel for conventional and HandyDART services.
The "most technologically advanced
bus on the planet" is shadowing B.C. Transit buses on Greater Victoria streets this month to test it out as a potential
new type of vehicle to carry a growing number of riders. Created by Proterra LLC in the U.S., the sleek blue-and-green hydrogen
hybrid bus represents what could be the next generation of buses as transit organizations aim to reduce their reliance on
fossil fuels. Victoria is its first Canadian stop as it embarks on a tour, mainly in the U.S., to show off its abilities.
"It's an alpha bus," said Dan Raudebaugh, executive director of the non-profit Centre for Transportation and
the Environment in Atlanta, Georgia.
The prototype's advanced technology
puts it ahead of any other buses globally, he said yesterday. Built to be environmentally friendly, its batteries can be recharged
at night by plugging it in to the electrical grid and hydrogen fuel tanks -- stored in the roof of the bus -- can be refilled.
Tanks carry 29 kilograms of hydrogen and the bus can run up to about 480 kilometres, B.C. Transit said. Dale Hill, founder
of Proterra, said that the bus gets about twice the fuel economy of a diesel-fuelled bus. When the bus is running, there's little noise. During a tour of the city yesterday, Manuel Achadinha, president
and CEO of B.C. Transit, noted that conversation was at regular levels and no one had to raise their voices. A quiet ride
"is a big issue from a customers' point of view," he said. As soon as Achadinha spotted the bus two years ago
at a trade show, he was determined to bring it to Victoria for a trial. So far, it has performed well in this environment
and on hills. This pilot project is part of B.C. Transit's commitment for
the future, he said. "It's exciting to always be in that innovative state and looking for new and innovative technology."
Aside from its technological attributes, he loves its "cool" appearance. B.C. Transit spent about $15,000 and the
Canadian and U.S. federal governments each chipped in $45,000 to bring the bus to Victoria, he said. The bus was built as a project in the National Fuel Cell Bus Program, headed by the U.S. Federal Transit Administration.
Its project team is made up of nearly two dozen organizations said its website, at www.hydrogenhybridbus.com. Achadinha envisions prices for these buses coming down in the future as they become commercially
viable. He put a Proterra representative on notice that he'd like to see a smaller community shuttle bus for residential
routes. "It really is the bus of the future." This prototype cost just
over $1 million to build, compared with the $500,000 cost of a typical bus, he said. Without a big engine, the 37-seat bus
is 10.6 metres long, making it 11/2 metres shorter than other buses. Its batteries recharge when braking, said Joshua Goldman,
Proterra director of business development. When the driver relieves pressure on the accelerator, the bus slows down, thus
diminishing wear on brakes, which are expensive to repair. At 12,200 kilograms, it doesn't weigh as much as regular buses,
which are typically close to 13,600 kg. Weight uses up energy, Proterra's Hill said. Its body is made of composite materials
and the next generation is already 450 kg lighter as new models are rolled out, Goldman said. During the trip around the downtown, Goldman pointed out the lack of swaying on the bus. Batteries are stored underneath
the body, creating a low centre of gravity. Its independent front suspension also delivers a smoother ride, he said. B.C.
Transit's 2008-2009 annual report said that it carried 47.6 million passengers in that time on 81 transit systems, with
a fleet of more than 950 buses, double-decker buses, mini-buses and vans.
Busing policy reflects Bowen's unique situationBowen Island
Undercurrent : March 11, 2010
The unique needs of Bowen Island students were uppermost on trustees' minds when they passed a new transportation
policy at Tuesday night's West Vancouver School Board meeting. Trustees recognize that Bowen is a rural community with
the extra challenge of not having a high school on the island, says Jane Kellett, a Bowen Island resident who is a trustee
on the board. Roads on the island are also not safe enough to require students to walk. So while the board is faced with reduced
transportation funding, it is re-affirming its commitment to get Bowen Island students to school both on and off the island.
But the board is also looking to islanders to help it come up with efficiencies to save money. Based on recommendations from its transportation review process, it is setting up a Bowen Island transportation committee,
Kellett says. "Can we be more cost efficient in busing the children?" She says parents had many ideas to share at
the public information meeting and the board wants to build on those suggestions. "Bowen Island will have a voice,"
she says. Meanwhile, the board is going to continue providing busing to high
schools on the mainlaind. There is one catch, however. Busing will continue for students attending both the designated feeder
school (West Vancouver Secondary School) and the schools of choice (such as Rockridge and Sentinel.) However, it will be phasing
out busing to schools of choice. All students now enrolled in those schools will continue to be bussed until they graduate.
But after that students coming into the system will have to find alternate transportation to schools of choice. As well, the
school board is eliminating busing for West Vancouver schools. Kellett says the school board will be working with TransLink
to come up with the best public transportation opportunities for students. The
vast majority of students who are bussed live on Bowen Island. The island accounts for 10 per cent of the board's student
population but at least 60 per cent of its transportation budget. The school board has not yet tackled the issue of which
high school will be the designated feeder school for Bowen teenagers
Oceanside Star : Thursday,
March 11, 2010
The Parksville Downtown Business Association is looking into starting a trolley service
to connect the downtown with the resort area, the train station and the beach. The trolley service is listed as one of the
PDBA's "main objectives" for 2010-2015. Ladysmith started such a service last August and Mayor Rob Hutchins
told the PDBA's annual general meeting Thursday it's been a success beyond expectations.  Ladysmith, pop. 8,100, was the largest community in BC without service from BC Transit. The community has an attractive
downtown shopping area along 1st Avenue and then a smaller shopping area to the south at Coronation Mall. Shoppers are drawn
to the north to Nanaimo and to the south to Duncan and Victoria. The Town wanted to connect Ladysmith's two shopping areas,
Hutchins said. As well, "we have too many people who shop to the north and shop to the south," he said. "We
wanted to encourage a culture of shopping locally." BC Transit, through the Cowichan Valley Regional District,
was offering four loops a day through Ladysmith, Chemainus and Duncan at $126,000 a year, or $33 a year per average taxpayer.
At a town-hall meeting in June 2008 (they have town-hall meetings "on a fairly regular basis"), Hutchins dropped
the idea of a local trolley, and the response was: "Go for it. Try this out." Island Homes Realty and the
Ladysmith & District Credit Union put up $50,000 each. The province issued the $100 Climate Action Dividend, so the Town
put up "Got $20 for a trolley?" posters asking people to donate $20 of their dividends. The office of the mayor,
said Hutchins, now in his sixth term, has tremendous power to raise money locally, and he has gone door-to-door for the trolley,
tree-planting programs and so on. By September 2008, they'd raised $212,000, enough to buy a trolley and start a
service. Hutchins said he spent a lot of time online looking at used trolleys in the U.S. at about $50,000 but in the end,
concerned about maintenance downtime, the Town council decided to buy a new trolley from Indiana for $180,000.
However,
they discovered, with help from Langford, which has a trolley, and BC Transit, that a trolley, as a capital expenditure, qualifies
for a grant under a provincial gas-tax program. They were able to buy the trolley and keep the $212,000 for operating costs.
Hutchins suggested Parksville, because it has BC Transit as a back-up, could buy a used trolley, now much cheaper due to the
recession. Ladysmith's free service started last August and now runs 11 hours a day, Monday through Saturday, on
five routes, with 20 trips a day along 1st Avenue and 10 stops a day at Coronation Mall. It costs $11,000 a month to run,
half the cost of the BC Transit service. The trolley has a donation box, which collects about 50 cents a ride or 50% of the
cost. BC Transit fares pay only 20% of the cost of its service. If the teenaged trolley riders would donate 50 cents a ride,
Hutchins said, donations would pay the total cost. The Town is looking to make up the difference with trolley advertising
generating $3,300 a month and a 1.25% trolley tax (versus a 3% regional district transit tax), which will generate $66,000
a year.
Alberni Valley Times : Thursday,
March 11, 2010
Sproat Lake hopes to see more HandyDart service out in
their region. With hopes of increased service comes a myriad of issues. Increasing
service out to the lake could mean one of three things, acccording to Phil Atkinson, manager of service provider, Diversified
Transportation. Trips may have to be displaced to accommodate new extra services and the decision will be made based on population
assessment, time and kilometers. HandyDart is an interesting service because the number and location of clientele is always
changing, Atkinson said. Citizens sign on and sign off the service, depending on health, location and necessity.
In October
of last year there were only 30 trips out to Sproat Lake. In this fiscal year, HandyDart hopes to get as many as 160 trips
out to the lake over the course of several months. "HandyDart is a very interesting business in that it doesn't stay
steady," he said. "There are times that all of a sudden we have a little bit of a downswing, and times when we are
run off our feet." The Sproat Lake numbers have increased of late. With
an increase in demand, something needs to be done to accommodate them. Atkinson said the company is working on a simplified
chart to determine ridership and demand in different areas, which will allow them to rearrange services effectively. Sproat
Lake director Penny Cote wants to see more numbers before a final decision is made. She wants to ensure service isn't
deducted from other areas to accommodate the lake. "My intention is not to take away service from the other areas, just
get more service for my area," Cote said. The big question on the table was is whether a switch or increase of service
to Sproat Lake will take away from other areas in the region. "If things were to remain the way they are going right
now, we are covering pretty well everyone," Atkinson said. Atkinson was
reminded that the HandyDart service was put in for people who need it most, and the regional district wants to ensure the
service stays that way. "Make sure the service provides what it was intended for," cautioned Beaufort director Mike
Kokura. Extended service to Sproat Lake would allow city residents to visit the lake, and allow lake residents to come into
the city when they need, said B.C. Transit spokesperson Myra Moore. "We got to get the Sproat Lake numbers up,"
said Atkinson. " It's our responsibility to try to provide a better service."
The historic E&N Railway station
may be torn down if money to repair the Nanaimo building heavily damaged by arsonists is not raised soon. The station is a key historical building in the city and has federal and municipal heritage status.
Arson gutted the station in August 2007 and the case remains unsolved. Officials say the fate of the station is dire if an
estimated $400,000 shortfall toward the $2.4-million heritage restoration project is not raised.The building is off-balance
and sinking faster on one side than the other. To preserve the piece of industrial
heritage, concerned officials say it needs to be upgraded now. If action is not taken this spring, the station will likely
be demolished. Officials do not think the deteriorating structure can survive another winter. "If we don't act now,
it will be lost. We've just got a small gap to close and a small amount of time to close it," said Downtown Nanaimo
Partnership executive director Matt Hussmann. "People don't understand this is not something that can wait. We could
have a restored train station or we could have a gravel lot." Businesses,
community groups and the city have donated to help save the station, but ongoing fundraising efforts have yet to be enough.
Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway Company in 1920, the station was a foundation for city economic growth and the rail
system on Vancouver Island. Nanaimo coal helped power the Canadian navy. Canadian men left for war from its train platform. The Island Corridor Foundation was considering a major restoration of the Selby Street station before
the fire on Aug. 26, 2007. Construction would have to take place before the fall. A heritage architect assessment after the
fire estimated exterior renovations at $1.4 million and interior renovations at $1 million to rehabilitate the station. More
than $2 million has been raised so far, but the deadline for the remainder to be raised is April 15. "We don't want
to see demolition, but this is our best opportunity to see something happen," said city community and heritage planner
Chris Sholberg. "It's a now-or-never kind of thing." Supporters say a restored train station could also serve
as a centre for green transportation on Vancouver Island.
Northern
Expedition could leave from Tsawwassen
ISLAND TIDES, Mar 4, 2010
BC Ferries has proposed that, starting
in 2011, the ferry Northern Expedition would
dock at Tsawwassen once in two weeks during the summer—supplementing its existing
service between Prince Rupert and Port Hardy. The Vancouver voyage would be introduced as part of one of the seven round-trips
currently providing service between the North Coast and North Vancouver Island. According
to BC Ferries, this would ‘facilitate travel opportunities, with direct or connecting service to Prince Rupert, Discovery Coast destinations,
Port Hardy and the Queen Charlotte Islands.’
Essentially, starting
the voyage closer to Vancouver would be an next step in BC Ferries’ efforts to
attract cruise ship business. It would involve special facilities at Tsawwassen. While
southern service ships are built to fit docks with their own ramps, northern-service ships have ship-based ramps (remember the Queen of Chilliwack?); and passengers on northern ships must be listed on the
ship’s manifest and participate in crew and passenger safety drills.
The proposal has met with concerns in Prince Rupert
and Smithers because this port change is seen as damaging to the cities’ tourist trade. In addition, Prince Rupert anticipates the possible
loss of 100 full-time ‘casual’ ferry jobs, 30-40 summer employment opportunities
for students, and an ‘unknown amount’ of permanent full-time jobs. In a January 11 letter to Minister Shirley Bond, Jack Mussalem, Mayor of the
City of Prince Rupert, quotes from last year’s Comptroller General’s report on BC
Ferries: ‘There is a risk that a focus on the profitability or sustainability of the ferry
operator exclusively could be at the expense of the public service mandate
of the ferry system. For example, short term decisions, focused on maximizing profit to the
operator, could compromise the public service goals of the ferry system by not considering fully the interests of users of the ferry system, local communities
and taxpayers.’ Prince Rupert’s concerns are echoed in a February 1 letter to the
Minister from Gary Coons, MLA for the North Coast.
BC FERRIES ANNOUNCES QUADRA AND CORTES ISLANDS
SERVICE DURING TEMPORARY DOCK CLOSURE Quathiaski
Cove terminal closed April 6 through 10 for construction
VICTORIA – BC Ferries’ dock at Quathiaski Cove on Quadra Island will be temporarily closed for five days while a new berthing structure is installed. Alternate service will be provided for both Quadra and Cortes Islands during the dock closure from April 6 through 10, 2010. BC Ferries is making this significant investment at Quathiaski Cove to ensure continued safe, reliable service for years to come. The $5.3 million project includes the replacement of the ramp, pontoon, wingwalls and waiting shelter. While work on the project began at the beginning of February and will conclude at the end of April, BC Ferries has pre-fabricated the berthing structure and other components off-site to minimize the necessary dock closure period.
During the closure the MV Tachek will operate between Campbell River and Heriot Bay terminal on Quadra Island, transporting commercial and essential vehicle traffic only. Beginning March 15, all customers will be required to reserve their desired sailing by calling 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779). The MV Tenaka will operate between Campbell
River and Whaletown terminal on Cortes Island. All vehicular and foot traffic are welcome
and will be loaded on a first-comefirst- serve basis. Both vessels will operate three
round-trip voyages each day. In addition, a water taxi service will be available
to transport foot passengers between Campbell River and Quathiaski Cove terminals.
This service will operate approximately every 20 minutes, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. There
will be no direct ferry service between Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals during the
five-day period. BC Ferries will be hosting public open houses to provide information
about the alternate service plan and to answer any questions as follows: • Monday, March 22, 2010, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Community Centre on Quadra Island. • Tuesday, March 23, 2010, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Mansons Hall on Cortes Island. BC Ferries appreciates the patience of its customers during this temporary service adjustment and looks forward to opening the brand new dock at Quathiaski Cove. At least two new Canadian investors are interested in establishing foot ferry service between
Nanaimo and Vancouver, according to Mayor John Ruttan, who says the impact of the 2010 Winter Games will spill over to other
B.C. communities. The city has been gathering information about the downtown-to-downtown ferry route that disappeared more
than four years ago. Council members hope that interested investors will access the information and come up with a viable
plan to reestablish the run. The Olympics have left a lasting impact on infrastructure in Vancouver, and the resounding
impact of the international spectacle will take some time to fully understand. But Ruttan has no doubt that his new investor
interest "came as a direct result of the Games." Those investors may be surprised, however, when they discover that
the hordes of walk-on passengers riding B.C. Ferries for the past three weeks are not part of an ongoing trend, but more of
a statistical blip caused largely by the popularity of the Olympics among Vancouver Islanders. The four major routes between
Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland saw a 12.5% drop in vehicle traffic, but a 19.7% increase in foot passengers during
the 17 days of Olympic competition, according to B.C. Ferries data. "How serious are the investors? It's hard to
speculate, but they seem very interested," Ruttan said. B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said the spike
in foot traffic is a "bit of an anomaly" and is not an indication of a growing trend. Vehicle traffic has increased
in the past nine month, up 2.5%, while walk-on traffic increased 1.3%. During the Olympics, B.C. Ferries transported 546,814
passengers on the four major routes to the Lower Mainland - Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen, Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay, Duke
Point to Tsawwassen and between the Sunshine Coast and Horseshoe Bay. To ease the traffic congestion during this popular time,
120 sailings were added. A midnight sailing was offered every night from Tsawwassen. It appears that travellers received the
message to stay out of their cars, according to Marshall.
There may not be an increase in foot traffic, but the potential
demand for a revived downtown ferry service is there, according to a city survey conducted one year ago. Of the 2,164 respondents,
86% said they would use a passenger ferry service between the downtowns of Nanaimo and Vancouver. Most people said they would
be more likely to make the trip because of the downtown-to-downtown convenience, but the majority of people said they would
prefer to pay between $21 and $30. More than 40 people said they would use the service every day, while 291 would ride once
a week. More than 700 would ride monthly, while nearly 1,200 would go once a year.
February 25, 2010,
8:58 am  Wild West Express The Wild West Express is in Nanaimo for one night
only and tickets are going fast. On Saturday, March 27, 2010, the Young Professionals of Nanaimo will take 250 passengers on a special journey back to the 1880’s. The event is part of the ongoing efforts of the YPN
to raise $391,000 for the restoration of the historic Nanaimo Train Station. SRY (Southern Railway of British Columbia) Rail
Link, Seaspan Coastal Intermodal, and the West Coast Railway Association have teamed up to barge four vintage passenger cars
to Nanaimo for what is being billed at “a dinner delegation to save the train station.” “We
are extremely excited by what the Young Professionals are doing,” said Ken Doiron of SRY. “Promotion
of green transportation and historic preservation are both so important to our Vancouver Island communities and we are proud
to be able to help the YPN in their efforts.” Nanaimo’s train station was gutted by fire in the summer
of 2007 and since that time has sat empty at 321 Selby Street. The extent of the damage requires that the building be lifted
up and the foundation replaced before the exterior walls and roof can be completed. The total cost of the restoration is estimated
at $2.4 million with a total of $1.3 million to be raised for phase 1 and the remainder for phase 2 to be covered by a commercial
mortgage. To date $896,000 has come from VIA Rail, $40,000 from the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvement Association, and
over $32,000 from the YPN fundraising efforts for phase 1. “Interest in this project has been phenomenal,”
says YPN President Andre Sullivan. “The community of Nanaimo has really gotten behind what we are
trying to do and it is exciting to see how close we are coming to our goal.” The Wild West Express will leave
Nanaimo at 4:30 pm on Saturday, March 27, 2010, and head south to the Cowichan Valley where the dinner delegation will enjoy
a special feast at the Quw’utsun’ Cultural Centre. /A\ TV’s Bruce Williams will host the
evening which will include food and beverage service, live auction, period entertainment and, of course, an unforgettable
ride on the train. Tickets are $200 of which $100 is a charitable donation. Wild West Express tickets will be available
from March 1, 2010, at the Downtown Nanaimo Business Improvements Association (A10 Victoria Crescent), Fox & Hounds (247
Milton Street), Herold Engineering (3701 Shenton Road), or Integral Wealth Securities (450 Wentworth Street). For more
information, visit www.nanaimotrainstation.org or call Andre Sullivan at 250-616-1111. Cowichan Valley Citizen : Wednesday,
February 24, 2010
Convenience is the key to getting people to use public transportation. At no time has
this been so apparent as during these 2010 Olympic Winter Games. Folks are taking the Vancouver buses and sky train in record
numbers -- and why wouldn't they? If you miss one, you have to wait maybe 10 minutes for the next one. Compared to sitting
in deadlocked traffic, inching your way forward as your temper shortens, getting around the city by bus has been an absolute
pleasure -- and a time-saver, at that.
The "take public transit" campaign's success caught BC Ferries by
surprise, unfortunately, as record numbers of walk-on passengers flooded the waiting rooms. Nevertheless, there's certainly
a lesson here -- one that should be harkened to by public transit bodies across the province -- public transit can work. Even
here in North America where by and large we do not have the history of trains, buses and streetcars that exists in places
like Europe, people can be persuaded to share a ride with their fellow citizens. This should lend hope to those who have been
labouring for many years to try to get a proper commuter train up and running on the old E&N line from Victoria to Courtenay.
The initial outlay of money is always daunting, but if we set up a convenient, reliable service, this green option could be
a big boon for our Island communities.
Nanaimo Daily
News : Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Public demand has caused the Regional District of
Nanaimo to explore the possibility of re-establishing a downtown-to-downtown, Nanaimo-to-Vancouver foot passenger ferry service.
"A number of individuals have raised this with us and the city also is behind us exploring our options," said RDN
board chairman Joe Stanhope. "Obviously there is a need for a downtown-to-downtown service when B.C. Ferries had to turn
away as many walk-on passengers as it did last weekend."
Right now, the RDN board is focused on passing its budget
next month, but after that, Stanhope said he wants to have a meeting with B.C. Transit and B.C. Ferries to discuss the idea.
"I hope to meet with the B.C. Transit board to talk to them about the viability of such a service. All I can really say,
as nothing is concrete yet, is we are exploring our options." Nanaimo Mayor John Ruttan said the seven city councillors
on the regional district's 17-member board back the idea. "We thought that it may be more successful to approach
B.C. Transit through regional transit, which is an RDN system, than trying to do it through the city," said Ruttan. "All
we want to do right now is to discuss the possible options with B.C. Transit and see if a walk-on ferry service from downtown
to downtown is viable." Both Ruttan and Stanhope said the population growth in this area should make such a service
economically viable as long as there is a comprehensive business plan in place.
Comox Valley Echo : Friday, February 19, 2010
Some long-awaited improvements to bus services in the Comox Valley are set to hit the road in April. Comox Valley
Regional District's committee of the whole heard Tuesday that an extra 3,200 hours of service are likely to be added to
timetables. And small changes to some routes should make it possible for more
people to make use of transit in the Valley, boosting overall ridership to an expected 625,000 trips a year.But the improvements
will be on less than half the scale originally envisioned when they were first proposed more than two years ago. Although
the regional district found its share of the increased costs for the whole package at the time, the provincially-funded B.C.
Transit had budget problems and had to cut back on its earlier commitments to help finance the changes. Since then, the entire program has been in limbo - but the committee was told this week all indications
now point to the possibility of an April 4 start to better services. Because local taxpayers have already paid up front for
the improvements put on ice last year, there will be no change to tax demands for 2010. The increased costs of enhancing services
can be covered from last year's surplus and greater fare income. The total
regional district budget for operating transit in the Comox Valley in 2010 is estimated at almost $2.4 million. The provincial
government tops up those funds through B.C. Transit to support the services. Revenue from passenger fares, passes and other
ticket options is expected to bring in more than $550,000, and another $400,000 will be taken from a surplus amassed last
year. Almost all the rest will come from local property taxes. The extra 3,200
hours of service in the year is about a 13 per cent increase on the existing timetables and will bring the total operating
hours to 27,640. Although this figure includes more runs, the hours are also being used to build in greater reliability on
timekeeping and better connections between services. There will also be some route changes, including an expansion of routes
into the west Courtenay/Puntledge area (route 7), better coverage towards Cumberland (route 2), revised times on the Little
River route to improve service to CFB Comox (route 11), and scheduling adjustments on the North Valley connector towards Campbell
River (route 12). Precise details are still being worked out, but the framework is now clear for 2010. Improved online information about services and schedules and more informative and easier-to-read
printed timetables are also part of the package being developed. Aspects of the original expansion plan that cannot progress
at the moment because of B.C. Transit's own budget constraints have not been abandoned for good. During 2010 there will
be further consideration of earlier plans to see if any or all could be put forward again for implementation in 2011. They include new or improved services in places like Royston, Mission Hill, Arden/Marsden close
to First Street, the Ryan Road/CFB Comox/Comox Valley Airport corridor, and improved commuter timings for the Buckley Bay
service. Most committee members warmly welcomed the improvements and hoped it would be possible to make further enhancements
in 2011. Several wanted to see consideration given to improved services linked to St. Joseph's Hospital for staff, patients
and visitors.
Nanaimo group wants transit exchange moved
Nanaimo
Daily News - Tuesday February 9th 2010
Residents in Nanaimo's Old City area are losing patience waiting
for the relocation of the downtown transit exchange.
The exchange was moved to 336 Prideaux
St. temporarily in 2004, with an eye to eventually moving back to the city core. Civic planners hoped to put it in the Port
Place Shopping Centre as part of renovations now underway but shelved the idea when it didn't mesh with the developer's
property redesign plan.
The regional transit system is operated by the Regional District of
Nanaimo but all stops inside the city are owned and maintained by the city of Nanaimo. Frank Murphy, Nanaimo Old
City Association president, wrote the RDN urging co-operation to find other sites after the Daily News reported the exchange
will not return to Port Place. Finding the right location is the dilemma the regional transit committee faces.
"He's right, we're trying to get out of there and we have no place to go," said Larry McNabb, committee
chairman. "I think the perfect place would be down in the Wilcox yard there, down by the Gabriola
ferry. It would be my dream to see a multiplex build down there and have a terminal right down there with all the buses."People
could see a game and say: 'Hey, let's go have a beer,' and walk to the bars. It would be fantastic. "
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