March 28, 2024

Cost of BC Ferry service going up

Ferry travellers in BC will soon pay more for the service, and within three years, rates will rise as much as 12 per cent. The British Columbia Ferry Commission has approved a 4.1 per cent hike in April, another four per cent in 2014 and 3.9 per cent in 2015. The prices have been capped to factor in efficiency targets and service level … [Read more...]

The extremes of technology customer service: how common sense and empathy create unmatched loyalty

Allow me to explain how two discussions started off in very similar ways, and ended... shall we say, differently. This is me, attempting to muster any sort of pleasantness in my voice at some ungodly hour of the morning on a Google Voice connection from Dubai back to the US: "Hey! I'm having to cut a trip short due to an emergency back home. I … [Read more...]

American Airlines Launches Baggage Delivery Service

American Airlines, one of the many carriers that charge you for checked bags, is now launching its own luggage delivery service at a pretty affordable rate. What's the catch? Fodor's Travel News … [Read more...]

Comcast doubles broadband speeds ‘in certain markets,’ launches 305Mbps Xfinity Platinum service

Comcast has just done the deed -- following a rumor on the matter, it's launching 305Mbps (down) / 65Mbps (up) Xfinity Platinum internet service in the highly populated Northeast division of the United States. For those who've been around a while, you may remember a time where one would weep upon finding out that Verizon's FiOS simply wasn't … [Read more...]

Tep Wireless unveils European-wide hotspot rental service for $5-a-day, 1GB of data included

Hardcore jetsetters should still be turning to Xcom Global, iPhone Trip or a local mobile shop upon arrival, but those who won't be burning up the megabytes now have yet another alternative when traversing European lands. The outfit best known for keeping those traveling to the UK connected is now branching out a bit, enabling a single rental … [Read more...]

Community social service workers plan strike vote

They work with some of the most vulnerable people in BC, but 15-thousand community social service workers in will be taking a strike vote over the next few weeks. James Cavaluzzo says talks with the provincial government broke down yesterday. He says members are seeking pay hikes and improved benefits, while the government insists that savings be … [Read more...]

Coroners Service to review Boyd case

The BC Coroners Service is the latest agency to review its file into the 2007 VPD shooting death of Paul Boyd.An inquest was held into the death in December of 2010, ending with nine recommendations directed at police and health authorities.Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe calls the newly-released video "a very important piece of evidence." "We felt it … [Read more...]

West Coast Express service still up in the air

C.P. Rail is rejecting an offer by the teamsters to continue running West Coast Express service, even in the event of a strike.Company spokesperson Ed Greenberg says the idea simply doesn't work. "Commuter and inner city passenger rail is one component of a large Canadian network for Canadian Pacific, and without the resources in place, it is … [Read more...]

Xcom Global opens international MiFi rental / service center in New York City

Serving jetsetters at LAX just wasn't enough for Xcom Global. Engadget's personal favorite when it comes to snagging international data before leaving the States is now opening up shop in the Big Apple -- a wise move for increasing its presence in a market where loads of humans are doing business in nations other than the United States. Xcom's … [Read more...]

More labour talks in the public service

A union chapter that represents 12-hundred public service professionals including geologists, engineers, veterinarians, and psychologists, has voted 92 percent in favour of a strike. Brett Harper with the Professional Employees Association, says talks with the government began in January, but broke down about a month ago, "We're going back to … [Read more...]