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Harbour City Star,Tuesday, May 26, 2009
For the second time in three years, Greyhound Canada has applied to reduce the number of bus trips between Nanaimo and
Campbell River. The company wants to cut the number of daily trips from three to two.
The proposal wold see two buses daily running north to Campbell River from Nanaimo and two each day coming south to Nanaimo.
Other communities between the two cities would also see a drop in service.
In 2006, Greyhound sought to reduce the number of daily trips on the same route from four to two. Public outrage over that
proposed change altered Greyhound's plan and it compromised on three runs each way.
The B.C. Passenger Transportation Board is receiving comments from the public on the latest proposal from Greyhound Canada
until June 17. To comment to the board can e-mail their submission to ptboard@gov.bc.ca or fax to 250-953-3788.
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Gabriola Public Transit Survey
Gabriola Sounder, Monday, May 11 2009
This week and next a team from the Gabriola Public
Transit Task Force will be conducting a survey of ferry passengers to determine travel patterns, and to compare answers with
results of the Transportation Survey conducted last fall. Look for them with clip board in hand.
The focus on public
transit for Gabriola was prompted by the BC Government’s Climate Action Dividends last summer. During that period of
skyrocketing fuel prices and growing concern over climate change, over $7,000 was donated by the community to support a feasibility
study and trial run. After an initial community meeting, representatives from several island non-profits established the Gabriola
Public Transit Committee to conduct the study, and began with an island-wide transportation survey.
The significant
400 responses covering 800 community residents yielded a wealth of data about residential density, transportation patterns,
destinations and scheduling needs. Several earlier assumptions were challenged, and it was clear the North/South Road loop
would be insufficient to serve the population nodes and that the commuter traffic to and from the ferry would be only one
focus.
A well-attended workshop in November covered issues such as optimal routes, scheduling, modes of transport,
funding and management structures. To obtain more information, it was recommended that a task force be set up to carry the
project forward, working from the responses to the survey and the workshop discussions.
The mandate of the task force
is: to research governance models, to estimate the cost of various levels of service and to explore sources of funding while
maintaining local control of our transportation solutions. Coordination of this effort with our existing taxi service
has been established, with research being undertaken into hybrid transit solutions working in other rural areas in BC.
The
Public Transit Task Force is moving forward on its research, exploring options and seeking further information. At the same
time, our RDN director has been exploring the potential of the Regional District’s involvement in public transit on
Gabriola. The Task Force has begun planning for a phased trial run, which may offer optimal service over a three month trial
period in a limited area, including approximately one-half of the island’s residents. This would require fewer buses
and drivers and would permit the trial to run at minimal cost. A second phase would cover the entire island.
An application
for funding the trial run through the Federal Government’s MOST (Moving on Sustainable Transportation) program was submitted
in March and an application through the Canada Summer Jobs program will permit the hiring of a student to undertake the biodiesel
project under the mentorship of a local engineer (analysing the collection of waste vegetable oil for conversion to fuel and
building a biodiesel processor).
Ferry Asbestos Class Action
If you have ridden in the passenger lounge aboard the ferry Quadra Queen II between Alert Bay, Sointula and Port
McNeil, B.C. prior to April 23, 2009, you may have been exposed to asbestos. Asbestos may cause certain types of lung
disease, which may take many years to develop. A proposed class action has been commenced against BC Ferry Services
Inc. by the Merchant Law Group LLP acting on behalf of a resident of Alert Bay. The claim asserts BC Ferries negligently
exposed passengers to airborne asbestos. The claim is for injury (including anxiety) caused by the potential exposure,
as well as loss of income and expenses relating to medical care. As the legal action progresses further notices will
be issued. If you have concerns about being exposed to asbestos aboard the Quadra Queen II, you should consult
with your doctor immediately. You should keep records of the visit to your doctor as well as records of any lost time
at work or expenses associated with that visit. This notice also applies to employees of BC Ferries who rode on
the ferry as non-working passengers. You can register your claim online by filling out the form below. You may
contact the Merchant Law Group LLP by email (BCFerryAsbestos@merchantlaw.com), or by mail at 531 Quadra St. Victoria B.C. V8V 3S4. Further notices will be published in coming months.
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BC Ferries to test evacuation systems on Gabriola Ferry on May 25
BC Ferries Service Notice, May 1 2009
On Monday, May
25, 2009, the crew of the MV Quinsam will be conducting extensive safety drills, including the deployment of the vessel’s
newly installed evacuation system. These tests were originally planned for March 29th, but were deferred.
This will result
in the following cancelled sailings:
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Depart Descanso Bay |
Depart Nanaimo Harbour |
|
7:25 p.m. |
7:55 p.m. |
|
8:25 p.m. |
8:55 p.m. |
Service will
resume with the 9:25 p.m. sailing from Descanso Bay.
BC Ferries thanks
its customers in advance for their patience as we continue to make safety our first priority.
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Harbour City Star, Friday May 01 2009
The cruise ship season returned to Nanaimo on Wednesday, when the 102-passenger Spirit of Endeavor dropped anchor in the
harbour. The small pocket cruise ship is the first vessel to arrive for a season that promises fewer vessels overall but more
passengers coming ashore for meals and to see the sights of the mid-Island.
Each summer, hundreds of cruise ships ply Canadian waters en route to Alaska. They attract tourists from around the globe
with money to spend and an eagerness to see coastal cities and attractions.
As the 2009 cruise season gets underway, members of Nanaimo's business community are waiting for word about federal government
funding for a cruise ship facility in downtown Nanaimo. A dock would allow larger ships to unload passengers directly, making
Nanaimo more attractive to large cruise lines.
The $18-million project already has $13 million committed from the port authority and the provincial government. Conservative
MP James Lunney (Nanaimo-Alberni) has signalled support but so far Ottawa hasn't followed through. "We're in hot pursuit,
using all the means at our disposal to get a federal government response to numerous letters, calls and e-mails," said Dumas.
"It's still ongoing. We're getting some supportive and positive responses from our local MP as well as (federal minister)
Stockwell Day's office but it's a confusing time for them in Ottawa."
"Cruise ships are essential because we are an economy in transition," said Donna Hais, president of the Greater Nanaimo
Chamber of Commerce.
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E&N station restoration ready to go
By Jenn Marshall - Nanaimo News Bulletin,
April 29 2009
The owners of Nanaimo’s historic E&N train station are presenting a unique opportunity for businesses.
The Island Corridor Foundation is recruiting companies to do business in a fully restored heritage train
station nestled in the heart of the Old City Quarter, alongside traffic from the E&N railway. Doug Backhouse, ICF executive
director, said the final designs for the $2.5-million project are complete and approved by Parks Canada as suitable for a
historic site restoration.
“We’re basically where we could start the development process,” he said. “The one
thing that is missing is we need to find some market tenants for the building.”
Backhouse said more than $800,000 of the money needed is expected to come from VIA Rail’s insurance.
The rest of the restoration will be financed through a commercial mortgage and lease agreements for 5,500 square feet of commercial
and office space in the station.
In August 2007, a fire partially gutted the 88-year-old station on Selby Street. Fire officials determined
the early morning blaze was arson. VIA Rail, which leased the building to use as a waiting area for train passengers, confirmed
its insurance would cover the damage. The foundation took the opportunity to jump-start plans to fully restore the aging building.
“It’s a true heritage restoration, but all of the building’s systems will be upgraded,”
Backhouse said. “It’s going to be quite a nice space when we’re done. As soon as we get these leases in
place, the project will be off and running.”
The central portion of the station will still be a waiting area for train passengers. Backhouse said it’s
a golden opportunity for retailers to take advantage of this traffic as well as Old City Quarter shoppers. He said the foundation
also expects traffic from the E & N rail line to increase significantly in coming years.
The province is conducting a $500,000 study to determine the costs and viability of upgrading the rail
line infrastructure for increased freight and passenger travel.
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BC FERRIES’ NORTHERN EXPEDITION TO MAKE INAUGURAL SAILING
ON MAY 18
BC Ferries New Release, 23 April 2009
VICTORIA – BC Ferries is pleased to announce the Northern Expedition
will make its inaugural sailing on Monday, May 18, carrying customers for the
very first time on the Inside Passage route from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert.
The 150-metre cruise-ferry boasts 55 modern staterooms, and will accommodate
600 passengers and 130 vehicles. Spacious passenger areas such as the Canoe
Cafe, Vista Restaurant and the Raven and Aurora Lounges will offer customers plenty
of comfort as they take in the beautiful north coast scenery during their voyage.
“The Northern Expedition offers a cruise-like experience, which takes
our service to a whole new level, greatly enhancing the customer travel experience,”
said David L. Hahn, BC Ferries’ President and CEO. “This ship, along
with the Northern Adventure, which services the Queen Charlotte Islands, will
offer local customers reliable service and tourists an adventure travel getaway.”
Experience B.C.’s north coast this summer aboard BC Ferries. Affordable
five and eight day travel deals are now available. “In addition to a beautiful
cruise up the Inside Passage or a trip to the mystical Haida Gwaii on the Queen
Charlotte Islands, packages also include grizzly bear and whale watching tours,
ocean and river fishing, as well as museum and cannery tours,” said Janet
Carson, BC Ferries’ Vice President of Travel Services.
Make the summer of 2009 your time to explore beautiful northern B.C. Reservations
are now available for the inaugural sailing and all other sailings. Call 1-877-982-1453
or for more details, visit http://www.bcferries.com.
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Annual Public Meeting at YVR - May 14, 2009
YVR Media release - 14 April 2009
Vancouver Airport Authority's Annual Public Meeting will be held on Thursday, May 14, at
3:30 p.m. in the East Concourse, departures level of the International Terminal of the airport. All YVR stakeholders, from
airline and business partners to government representatives and the general public are invited to attend.
The meeting is an opportunity for the Airport Authority to report to the public and the airport business community on the
past year's activities, including financial results, as well as share information on new or ongoing initiatives. Guests
have the opportunity to ask questions of senior management following the presentations.
The Airport Authority's 2008 Annual and Sustainability Reports will be available online at www.yvr.ca on April 30, and a summary brochure of the Annual Report will be available in printed format
at the meeting.
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