Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
BC Ferries got a half-billion-dollar cash injection on the weekend to keep fares below inflation and help electrify the fleet.
However, while Premier David Eby and Transportation Minister Rob Fleming offered details on fare objectives over the next four years, they provided little information on the province’s goals for weaning ferries off fossil fuels.
Continue reading West Coast electric ferries lack the power to ditch diesel
The two much anticipated Island Class hybrid e-ferries are now in operation on the Campbell River to Quadra Island route. The new ferries will be sailing between Campbell River and Quadra Island approximately every half hour between 7:30 AM and 5:50 PM. A single vessel will serve this route in the early morning and evenings.
“This was a long time coming for all of us, but we’re pleased to have the vessels going and seeing the throughput at the both ends of the terminals. There has been some bumps along the road for sure. We’ve had to make some minor adjustments with the way we stage traffic at the terminals. We’re exploring different options, trying to keep the on-time performance and the traffic moving as fast as we can” said Megan Caldwell, the Terminal Manager for BC Ferries.
Mark Vonesh, the Regional Director for Cortes Island had a different perspective, “We live on Cortes because we like to have that isolation and sense of distance from the urban centers. That’s something that makes Cortes special, but we rely on the ferry. It’s an essential service for us. We require it for groceries, for medical, for appointments. It’s something that we rely on, and it’s a bottleneck for us. The new ferries that are coming on board obviously created some issues for Cortes.”
Continue reading Changes coming to the BC Ferries for Quadra and Cortes Islands
CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
BC Ferries’ two-ferry service that began on the Quadra Island-Campbell River route on Jan. 18 was deployed for convenience and speed, but some Cortes Island passengers are concerned with their recent experiences.
The loss of a priority loading lane for Cortes-bound traffic was mentioned in a news release by the company Jan.16. Traditionally, vehicles en route to Cortes were directed into lane 7 at the ferry terminal in Campbell River, and they board and disembark first. This would assist the drivers in arriving at the other ferry terminal on Quadra in time to catch a connecting 45-minute ferry home to Cortes—ferries that only sail every two hours.
Continue reading Cortes Island-bound ferry traffic loses priority loading status, locals concerned
National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Editor’s note: the 40% increase of capacity on the Campbell River-Quadra run will undoubtedly translate into more traffic using the adjoining the Quadra-Cortes Island ferry.
Quadra Islanders braved lashing wind and rain to bid farewell to the queen that for decades dictated many aspects of their lives and reigned over their West Coast community.
After operating 32 years as the sole vessel serving the small ferry-dependent island — and a full 58 years with the BC Ferries fleet — the ‘Powell River Queen’ was retired from service on Jan. 17.
Continue reading B.C. islanders bid adieu to their Queen who reigned for nearly 60 yearsEditor’s note: This story concerns matters that will have an effect on ferry traffic to Cortes Island.
By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
The 58-year-old Powell River Queen sails her last run on the Campbell River to Quadra Island BC Ferries route next week and the public is invited to bid farewell to the vessel.
Continue reading A long serving BC Ferries vessel retires on January 17th and the public is invited to say goodbye
