The fallout from a tumultuous spring that saw BC Ferries introduce, then cancel a controversial reservation trial appears to be a commitment by the province’s transportation minister to “encourage” the company to look into service suggestions raised by local government.
A June 11 letter by Transportation Minister Rob Fleming and copied to BC Ferries CEO Mark Collins says the minister will encourage BC Ferries “to explore the feasibility of suggestions like the ones you have proposed about increasing sailings, adding supplemental vessels and sharing vessels between routes.”
It also says that in light of the cancelled trial, “it is important that BC Ferries assess if there is a better way to seek feedback on service improvements in the future,” and the minister would also encourage the company “to continue communicating with communities.”
“One of my mandates as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure is to make BC Ferries more responsive and accountable by encouraging improved service at peak times, an improved reservation system and better coordination with public transit,” wrote Fleming.
Further, Fleming said the ministry is committed to “discussions about any plans for investments in its fleet of vessels” as part of long-term improvements.
The letter comes in response to one sent by Sechelt Mayor Darnelda Siegers in May after the trial – which would have seen reservation capacity increase to 95 per cent, with free reservations – was cancelled because of public uproar, including a petition garnering 8,500 signatures over a matter of days.
District of Sechelt and Town of Gibsons elected officials supported the trial in closed meetings followed by public endorsement by Sunshine Coast Regional District directors.
After BC Ferries pulled the trial, Siegers wrote to the province and explained Route 3 service is “no longer meeting the needs of our community” and asked that the province increase the level of contracted service to 16 daily sailings in both directions.
“We make this request knowing that it has incredibly strong support in the community,” said the letter.
The letter also made short-term requests, including that the province direct BC Ferries to “study options for increasing service on Route 3,” such as increasing service to 12 daily sailings during peak season, adding a smaller ship to supplement sailings, adding passenger ferry service, and sharing ferries between routes to prioritize peak service.
At a July 7 Sechelt council meeting where Fleming’s letter appeared on the agenda, Coun. Matt McLean said the response was “fairly what I expected,” and pointed to a “collapse” in the minister’s mandate to improve peak service following overloads and delays over Canada Day.
“I think if the ministry works with BC Ferries that they can improve the peak service using the Queen of Coquitlam and Surrey, so I’m really hoping they continue to make progress on that,” he said.
