A number of initiatives at the BC Ferry corporation caused us
some concern with regard to the ability of transit riders and
pedestrians to access ferry services. As a result the letter
included below was sent. The reply form BC Ferries follows.
Our letter of July 7, 1997 to BC Ferries President and CEO
Frank Rhodes
July 7, 1997
Mr. Frank Rhodes
President & CEO
BC Ferries
1112 Fort Street
Victoria BC V8V 4V2
Dear Mr. Rhodes:
As an organisation representing the users of forms of
transportation other than the private automobile, Transport Action
BC is both concerned and enthusiastic about some recent events at
BC Ferries.
Firstly, we are concerned about the poor public transit
connections at the Duke Point terminal. Transit connections at
Departure Bay have been and continue to be excellent but we
understand that there are no connections to many of the sailings
at Duke Point. Given the remote location of the Duke Point
terminal, this presents a major challenge to those travellers who
would otherwise be able to travel without a private vehicle.
Marketing for the Duke Point terminal has also completely
overlooked the needs foot passengers.
We also find the proposed relocation of the Vancouver Island
terminal for the Gabriola Island service from downtown Nanaimo to
Duke Point objectionable for the same reasons. The existing
terminal location is extremely convenient to downtown Nanaimo,
being walking distance from the downtown core, the BC Transit
downtown bus exchange, and a large shopping centre. The Duke
Point terminal has none of these benefits. The Gabriola terminal
must either stay where it is or a passenger only service to
downtown Nanaimo be guaranteed at the current service level.
On a positive note, word that a direct passenger only
Vancouver - Swartz Bay, and possibly Gulf Islands, service is
under consideration is most welcome. This service would make
travelling to Victoria without a car far more attractive and
would also be very beneficial for cyclists, who would no longer
be faced with the roadblock of the Massey tunnel to reach the
ferry terminal.
It is our firm belief that catering to the foot passenger and
the cyclist would be a very appropriate strategy for BC Ferries
to take. By encouraging ferry riders not to drive aboard,
considerable capital costs in building car ferries could be
avoided. Innovative partnerships should also be developed by BC
Ferries to help reduce the need for new ferries. For example,
there is talk that the Queen of Capilano will either have to be
expanded or replaced to deal with growing (motor) traffic on the
Bowen Island route. It would likely be much more cost effective
for BC Ferries to assist in setting up a commuter bus service on
Bowen Island to reduce vehicle demand than to build more
automobile capacity on its ferries. No doubt other similar
opportunities exist on the BC Ferries system.
I hope you find these comments constructive.
Sincerely,
Ian Fisher,
President.
Frank Rhodes' Reply of July 11, 1997
BRITISH COLUMBIA
FERRY CORPORATION PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
July 11, 1997
Mr. Ian Fisher
President
Transport Action British Columbia
Dear Mr. Fisher:
I wish to
acknowledge and thank you for your letter of July 7.
I greatly
appreciate your taking the time to write to me, advising of the
work of Transport Action BC and your observations with respect to a
number of initiatives now underway by the British Columbia Ferry
Corporation.
Initially, I
would like to point out that the Corporation has been successful
in attracting bus services to Duke Point through private sector
operators. It was not possible to establish transit links with
B.C. Transit but I am very pleased with the service that we are
now initiating with Laidlaw.
In respect of the
Gabriola ferry service, no decision has been made with respect to
relocating services to Duke Point. It is very clear that if such
a decision were taken it would require community support and
would also involve establishing passenger-only services direct to
downtown Nanaimo to work conjunctively with a relocated primary
ferry service run. Again, no decisions have been taken on this
matter.
I am pleased to
note your support for the work we are now doing with respect to a
passenger-only direct Vancouver/Swartz Bay route. This initiative
is under active review and I hope to make a decision in this
regard by year end.
I greatly
appreciate your taking the time to write to me and express your
views on these issues.
Yours sincerely,
Frank Rhodes
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