Commuters who rely on the SeaBus to go between Vancouver and the North Shore will soon find a rush hour uptick in sailing frequency.
TransLink announced this week that SeaBus service would resume its 15-minute peak period schedule starting Monday, July 13.
Departures on weekdays between 7 and 9:30 a.m. and 3 and 6:30 p.m. will now be every 15 minutes, instead of the COVID-era adjusted 30-minute frequency.
TransLink says they are upping the frequency in order to accommodate increased demand, and to provide more space for customers during peak hours.
While transit use screeched to an unprecedented near-halt in late March and early April, TransLink notes that weekday SeaBus boardings have tripled since that time, however, boardings still remain less than 25 per cent of the levels they were at last year.
"Demand is expected to continue increasing as B.C.’s economy re-opens and as British Columbians undertake more travel within the province this summer," adds TransLink in a media release.
SeaBus customers can expect the following measures under TransLink's Safe Operating Action Plan:
- Reduced SeaBus maximum capacity to 50 per cent
- Enhanced cleaning protocols by using a disinfectant fog twice per week in addition to daily cleaning schedules
- Hand sanitizer dispensers introduced in both SeaBus terminals
- Decals and signage installed asking customers to keep physical distance and wash their hands in the terminal washrooms before boarding
- New boarding procedure to promote physical distancing during busy periods by preventing customers from lining up in middle loading ramps
- Asking customers to wear masks while on board and waiting for the SeaBus
