BC Ferries has announced that January 18th marks the beginning of two vessel service between Campbell River on Vancouver Island and Quadra Island. The ships are part of the new hybrid diesel/electric Island Class series. They are replacing the 57 year old MV Powell River Queen currently operating on the route.
BC Ferries is building four more “Island Class” ferries, due to increased demand and current vessels aging, and a call for proposals has gone out to shipyards in British Columbia, as well as nationally and internationally.
During holidays and the busy summer season, BC Ferries’ route between Campbell River on Vancouver Island and Quadra Island becomes congested, resulting in sailing waits. Ferry corporation spokesperson Deborah Marshall acknowledges that the waits can stretch from one to three sailings.
BC Ferries is launching a promotion for locals and tourists to enjoy the savings on some inter-island routes this summer but the Cortes Island route is not among them.
The goal of the promotion—a 75 per cent discount off vehicle fares—is to motivate customers to travel on later or earlier sailings by providing a discount, freeing up space on more popular sailings.
Lengthy waits for travelers on BC Ferries’ Campbell River to Quadra Island route have been chronic for several years any time of year. Relief was to come this summer with the implementation of two vessels serving the route instead of one, increasing capacity by 80 per cent.