Changes in ferry service at BC Ferries’ Langdale terminal will cause a ripple all the way north to Powell River.
BC Ferries announced September 18 that it will introduce a new ferry schedule in January for its Route 3 sailings between Langdale and Horseshoe Bay.
The new schedule, which includes additional sailings for commuters, is designed to improve the ferry’s on-time service and help spread out traffic at Horseshoe Bay terminal, said BC Ferries public affairs manager Darin Guenette.
"Travelling on the Sunshine Coast will be easier,” said Guenette. “We expect to be on time and with this schedule we expect it to be way better than it is right now.”
Guenette said Horseshoe Bay’s three berths and 40 sailings per day means the terminal is operating over capacity and delays for loading and unloading are constant. He added that the long-term plan is to redevelop Horseshoe Bay terminal and build smaller ships that run more often to the Sunshine Coast.
BC Ferries asked for the public’s thoughts on Sunshine Coast service this summer and the changes are a reflection of some of the feedback.
Northern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee chair Kim Barton-Bridges said she thought the new schedule for Route 3 was a positive move.
“This is an interim measure to improve things and it's the best they can do right now,” said Barton-Bridges.
Guenette said the changes will stretch the day out from eight hours of service to 10 hours per day.
The changes will also mean slight alterations to the Earls Cove-Saltery Bay ferry schedule and push afternoon sailings between 15 to 20 minutes later. Barton-Bridges said travellers will need to get into the habit of checking the schedule before travelling.
Guenette said changes in the Earls Cove-Saltery Bay schedule were the result of BC Ferries needing to provide a two-hour window for drivers to travel from Langdale to Earls Cove and load the ferry.
Barton-Bridges said BC Ferries has not always thought of the impact of schedule changes.
"They haven't always done that, but now they really are," said Barton-Bridges. "We're on them a lot to do that."
