March 28, 2024

What to do about the Ferries?

The NDP's Ferry Critic is scratching his head over the Province asking for bidders to do consultations with ferry users and ferry reliant communities.  The contract for tender is looking for someone to gather feedback on ferries services and possible cuts. But Gary Coons says lots of consultations have already been done, so why waste the … [Read more...]

BC Ferries boss says big losses could have been worse

BC Ferries wracked up a $ 16 million is losses in the last fiscal year but the company president is promising smooth sailing in the years ahead.   Mike Corrigan says the loss could have been worse but for some cost cutting.  "In reality it's actually quite a good news story, we had budgeted almost a $ 20 million loss at the … [Read more...]

Losses mount at BC Ferries

Ridership is way down and the red ink is way up at BC Ferries.   The corporation recorded a 16.5 million dollar loss for the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Ferries says vehicle traffic was down three and a half percent, falling to a 13 year low, while the number of actual passengers was at a 21 year low.    Meanwhile fuel costs were up by … [Read more...]

Gulf Islands leader says Lekstrom promised meeting ahead of ferries announcement

While B.C.’s transportation minister is promising "community consultations" in the wake of changes to the Coastal Ferry Act – at least one Gulf Islands leader says he already feels out of the loop. Quadra Island and Strathcona Regional District director Jim Abram claims Blair Lekstrom personally called him Tuesday night, assuring him … [Read more...]

Liberals introduce legislation to control costs at BC Ferries

Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom has introduced legislation aimed at controlling costs at BC Ferries. Lekstrom says the bill is in response to a report by ferry commissioner Gordon Macatee earlier this year. "The amendments will also provide the ferry commissioner with greater discretion when setting price caps, allowing for example cross … [Read more...]

It’s been a busy weekend for BC Ferries

Spokesperson Deborah Marshall says adding extra sailings on the busiest routes have helped with the holiday volume, including a few overloads at some terminals. Marshall says over fifty extra sailings were added throughout the long weekend, "This is typical traffic for what we are seeing for a long weekend. Generally, an Easter long weekend, … [Read more...]

Hartley Bay band still outraged over BC Ferries handling of Queen of the North

Six years after The Queen of the North sank off the tiny B.C. community of Hartley Bay, a band councillor says BC Ferries has abandoned his village. Cameron Hill claims the sunken ship is still leaking oil into the ocean – but the corporation stopped monitoring the leak last year. "They pulled the funding to have a daily monitoring of the … [Read more...]

Ferries union warns of poor morale

Ferries union warns of poor morale The Ferries and Marine Workers' Union says while imrpovements have been made there are still lots of problems at BC Ferries - and people should be concerned. President of the Ships Officers component, Brett Joyce, says his members are suffering from dismal morale. He says he is not sure how to keep the price down … [Read more...]

Vancouver Island RCMP say drug dealers are using Ferries to carry drugs from the mainland.

Nanaimo RCMP say some drug dealers are using BC Ferries to run their illicit cargo back and forth and they have proof.   Constable Gary O'Brien says last night they arrested a 23 year old Nanaimo man who was a walk on getting off in Departure Bay with about a kilo of cocaine.     O'Brien says "That is a significant amount that will … [Read more...]

BC Ferries name new CEO

Michael Corrigan has been named the new CEO and President of BC Ferries. Corrigan has been working for Crown corporation for the last nine years as chief operating officer and executive vice president of business development. He replaces David Hahn, who resigned earlier this year. The company also announced it was doing away with the … [Read more...]