Tag Archives: Quadra-Cortes Ferry

What difference are the new Hybrid e-Ferries making? 

Wind speeds of up to 35 kph were recorded on Quadra Island on Easter Sunday. For passengers crossing on the 11:50 AM from Cortes Island, this meant more than a two and a half hour delay at the Quathiaski Cove Terminal before they could cross over to Campbell River.    

Why were the two new hybrid-eferries kept in port while the Tachek continued to sail between Cortes and Quadra Islands?

A ferry worker explained it in terms of different wind conditions. 

Continue reading What difference are the new Hybrid e-Ferries making? 

Changes coming to the BC Ferries for Quadra and Cortes Islands

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

Cortes Island-bound ferry traffic loses priority loading status, locals concerned

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

B.C. islanders bid adieu to their Queen who reigned for nearly 60 years

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 years

Local Ferry Advisory Committee welcomes increased ferry service this month

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

Jan. 18 heralds the start of tandem ferry service between Campbell River on Vancouver Island and Quadra Island: the number of sailings per week on the route will increase from 105 to up to 210 during peak hours.

Continue reading Local Ferry Advisory Committee welcomes increased ferry service this month