bummer.
The head of British Columbia Ferry Services is predicting that fares could rise by up to 25 per cent on some routes over the next five years.
President and CEO David Hahn said Friday that the increase will be driven by the need for new ships and rising fuel costs.[/p] Fares on major routes are expected to rise by between 15 and 18 per cent by 2013, and at least 25 per cent on minor routes, Hahn said.[/p] The company's fuel bill in 2002 was about $45 million, but it will be more than $90 million next year, he said.[/p] Three new super ferries being built in Germany are much more fuel-efficient than the vessels they'll replace, saving about seven million litres of fuel a year, Hahn said.[/p] The new ships will cost $542 million, with the first, the Coastal Renaissance, arriving this fall and going into service early next year.[/p] B.C. Ferries is also having the German shipyard build a replacement for the Queen of the North, which hit an island and sank in March 2006. Two people died.[/p]
[/p]Full Story:[/p][a href="vny!://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/14092007/3/canada-b-c-ferries-hike-fares-25-cent.html"]vny!://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/14092007/3/canada-b-c-ferries-hike-fares-25-cent.html[/a]
[/p]
Its to be expected to be honest. Rising fuel costs, replacement of old tonnage, and also the rising cost of increasing qualified personal which they are already have trouble attracting due to the already low wages. ie, officers on the deck and in the engine room.
Besides.. 25% rise of cost on minor routes.. thats like on the queen of the north routes as well as the ones to the queen charlottes and powell river.
I still think Island residents should have the option of a pass book with substantially cut rates.
Uh.. why should Island residents get it any different than the rest of us?
If you live on somewheres like Gabriola and commute every day then yes I can see that. But on the island? I dont think thats right or fair.
Well, I think that because I pay the same highway taxes as everyone else in B.C., and yet have access to only a tiny percentage of them. The ferries are our highway that links us to the rest of our province.
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
good story.. stick to it! :) :)
I have to agree with you on the highways.. that new island highway they did is a joke. theres no overpasses and its like another bumper to bumper street in nanaimo around rush hour. What a billion dollar boondoggle.
Well, I remember the days before it went in.....and I'll tell ya......even if it's a screw-up, it beats sitting in a line-up for 8 hours when there was an accident. There were no alternate roots, so you just had to wait it out. This would happen at least half a dozen times every summer and a few throughout the rest of the year.
And I'm not exaggerating. We've sat in line for 8 hours numerous times.
oh I agree... it was still a disappointment though with how they did it.
It IS an improvement.. I do remember how it used to be.
EDIT: gotta go, laptop batteries beeping. TTYL
Take care Russ......MISS YOU !!!!!
It was nice seeing you !!!!!!!!!!!!!! [img style="CURSOR: pointer" onclick=url(this.src); src="vny!://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a194.gif" border=0]
Boy, why am I not surprise? They're going to keep raising the rates higher and higher. This is not the end.....(//vny!://discoverseattle.net/forums/richedit/smileys/Sad/10.gif)
I miss Russ too! Can't wait till he pops back into civilization.
Hullo Miss Lise.. I do agree, it will keep rising.. butthen again so will everything else.. except for everyones pay.
End of Oct.. thats what I keep reminding myself.
on the ferry yesterday I was talking about the rate hike while watching the ramp lowered down onto the ferry. Oops the operator missed where she was suppose to go and smashed the guard rails on the boat. I think the rate hikes aren't going to gas etc. but BC Ferries own mistakes (the horseshoe bay crash, queen of the north, and simple things like yesterday.)
P.C. your idea would work great, one problem though, BC Ferries isn't owned by the people of British Columbia anymore they were privatized by the current government. So any costs now come from people who use the ferries which of course is the islanders.
P.C. your idea would work great, one problem though, BC Ferries isn't owned by the people of British Columbia anymore they were privatized by the current government. So any costs now come from people who use the ferries which of course is the islanders.
That's true. Good point. But there's nothing wrong with good marketing stratagies....and Island residents have been clamouring for decades about this. I know for me (and thousands of others), that I would use the ferries 5 times more than I do if the rates weren't so high. Last trip over was $187.00 return (including reservations) I'm sorry, but that's insane.
marketing? explain.
Since I come from the land of privitazation. Once something is private only the users who use it pay it. So it will only go up for us I'm afraid. I would easily do every other weekend trips to Vancouver. Got lucky yesterday, instead of paying normal 12 it was 7.10. But the rate hikes will make it around 15 now for foot. That means 30 bucks just to get back and forth plus the 5 bucks back and forth on the express bus from Horseshoe. Not counting if I want to take skytrain either.
I wonder what Washington ferries cost, its still public. (suprising for a US state to have something public, I was shocked).
Yes....THAT expensive. That's vehicle...driver (of course) and passenger and reservations. (almost a necessity if you need to get back to a job the next day) And of course if you're taking in a concert or a game.....throw in the cost of a hotel room and a meal or two, as there are no ferries by the time these events are done.
marketing? explain.
Yea....marketing. You know....like when you try to make your product more marketable.
I'm not talking about favours here. I'm talking about the benefit to both parties. I use the ferry once every 4 months, because it's so GD expensive. I WOULD use the ferry twice a month if it were affordable. Who loses ?
How can you market something that's only transportation based? BC Ferries is private I don't think they have any interest in marketing island vacations etc. They know people have to go back and forth and they have no other option. Therefore its bribery but BC Ferries doesn't care, they're the only option.
still don't get what you're saying. lol
Something like vacation in Tofino, ferry ride is free?
Aaa...No. Nothing to do with free anything.
I didn't think it was that complicated. The price of a product is $100.00 and you sell one every 4 months.....but if it is $75.00 and you sell two a month.....do the math. If they're happy with making $100.00 instead of $600.00....then they're stupid 'marketers'.
still lost p.c.
oh well
oh I see it now. gotch ya.
That's what happens when one goes from a Crown Corporation (i.e., the BC Government) to a private company (i.e., B.C Ferry Services). However, I don't think the government has totally given up control of the ferry service. It is still listed on the BC Government web-site as a department as [A href="vny!://www.dir.gov.bc.ca/gtds.cgi?showPage=agencies&subPageTitle=Public+Agencies#AGENCIES"]a public agency[/A]
The bottom line is the dollar plus a monopoly. This is the only ferry on the B.C. coast, and with many places along the coast inaccessible by car or plane this is also the only mode of transportation. So with the cost of gas to run those behemonths, and trying to pay for new and replacement ferries, the fares are going up, up, and up.
The Campbell government is really brilliant, hey? Noobs. (//vny!://discoverseattle.net/forums/richedit/smileys/5.gif)
Campbell isn't a Liberal he's a socred in liberal clothing, just ask the head of poly sci here at school. He was a BC Liberal before they were invaded by Campbell's right wingers. He was kicked out for being 'too left' or 'liberal'.
Campbell's boon doogle is the convention centre. He won't last after the olympics. (which means one more term election in '09 just before the olympics)....
anyway I looked up fares for Washington State Ferries and we are getting robbed of course. granted the longest ferry they have an hour but they have ferries until 2am. Not this 9pm crap.
Here's the Seattle to Brementon ferry schedule for tomorrow Sept 17
Youth (6-18) $5.40
Adult (19-64) $6.70
Senior/Disabled (65 and over) $3.35
Multi-Ride Commuter Card 10 Ride * $53.60
WSF Monthly Pass 31 Ride * $85.80
Bicycle surcharge only 1.00
[a href="vny!://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/fares/FaresDetail.aspx?tripdate=20070917&departingterm=7&arrivingterm=4"]vny!://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/fares/FaresDetail.aspx?tripdate=20070917&departingterm=7&arrivingterm=4[/a]
then if you are taking the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle its FREE! wtf!
maybe tehborken can tell us why you aren't charged from the Bremerton to Seattle ferry.
Youth (6-18) $5.40
Adult (19-64) $6.70
Senior/Disabled (65 and over) $3.35
B.C. Ferries
Student $5.60
Youth (6-11) $5.60
Adult $11.15
Seniors Monday thru Thursday Free
Sportsdude wrote:
then if you are taking the ferry from Bremerton to Seattle its FREE! wtf!
maybe tehborken can tell us why you aren't charged from the Bremerton to Seattle ferry.
No transit service is free.......taxpayers are paying or service is subsidized by gasoline taxes and toll fees
It's the same here for the smaller islands. One way fare.
Student only applies to high schoolers. I've been told that countless of times at Horseshoe Bay (got in an arguement with them over that). Even showing my college i.d. card saying I was a student. I had to pay the 12 bucks.
emailed my MLA about this.
I know its not free I just don't understand the fares for that. It said free, which took me back a little.
Let me correct myself..... more accurately....one fare covers both ways.
Also note that in B.C. children are no longer children after 11.....whereas in the states....the rate for children goes up to 18.
The rates for BC ferries classes students as under 19.
ah okay. That's for the clarification, P.C. Didn't understand that part. But it makes sense you're sort of 'stuck' on the sunshine coast or bowen island. lol want to visit the sunshine coast.
I adore the Sunshine Coast. And also Saltspring Island.....10 minute ferry ride from Duncan (or maybe Chemanis ?) Saltspring is my favourite.
Have you checked out the Dingy Dock pub SD? You can only get there by boat. Neat place....good food. (I think there's a water taxi that takes you there....haven't been for a while)
Dingy Dock? Where's it at? Is it a beautiful location? Because I've been scouting places that would be great for the lady friend one of these days... (sooner then later)
[SPAN class=clsMainText]Protection Connection Ferry- downtown Nanaimo harbour boat basin diagonally across from the Harbour Park Mall on Front Street. Call the ferry at (250) 753-8244.[/SPAN]
[SPAN class=clsMainText][img]vny!://vancouverisland.kulshan.com/images/DINGHYDOCK.jpg" align=right]This prominent and well-known pub, with its distinct pale blue roof, floats leisurely in Nanaimo's harbour. Boats can easily tie up alongside the pub with a connecting walking pier to the shoreline of small, populated Protection Island. A visible landmark in the harbour, this popular pub and restaurant is a favourite among locals, tourists, and visiting yachtsmen. Open May through to mid October, this energetic, nautically themed pub is packed during the busy summer months. Its popularity is due to the incredibly friendly atmosphere, good service and good food. Seafood and salads are a specialty along with regular pub fare, all moderately priced. A wide selection of beers and ales are available. The only access to the pub is by boat. The Protection Connection ferry, moored in the downtown Nanaimo boat basin, ferries you across (a 10-minute ride) to the pub and Protection Island. The ferry runs daily, on the hour with the last ferry heading back to Nanaimo at 11 pm. With ample tie-up space, many arrive in their own motor- or paddle-powered boats. For visiting yachtsmen who have dropped anchor in the harbour, many arrive in their dinghies, hence the name of the pub. Shower facilities are available at the Dinghy Dock for boaters. The pub offers one of the most spectacular views of Nanaimo's harbour and waterfront as well as views of its neighbouring island, Newcastle, a stone's throw away. This is definitely not the spot for quiet and solitude as it does get crowded and boisterous, but if looking for a fun time, this is a great destination.[/SPAN]
Ah I've heard about that place! yeah that's a date place for sure.
Sportsdude wrote:
Student only applies to high schoolers. I've been told that countless of times at Horseshoe Bay (got in an arguement with them over that). Even showing my college i.d. card saying I was a student. I had to pay the 12 bucks.
emailed my MLA about this.
Errrr, again what country is your passport from? Until you are eligible to vote for a MLA they don't care about you. Believe me, my friends who are not Canadian have done that sort of stuff, contacted their MLA and even MP when they had concerns about this or that, but once it was found out they were not even Canadian their concerns were discounted.
When one sees "student fare" around here, it usually means K-12 students, not university or college. If a student fare included university or college students it would say so.
Yes....good point wyk. Not to mention those of us who ARE Canadian most often have our concerns discounted .(//vny!://discoverseattle.net/forums/richedit/smileys/Happy/4.gif)
I've been told that countless times at Horseshoe Bay..... And SD......You've only been on the ferry twice. If you can't count to two......you need to start worrying.