ADAM OLSEN - Increasing demand on BC Ferries system, limited supply of space, aging infrastructure and consumer expectations are all factors that need balancing

This summer has been a particularly difficult one for people who rely on the BC Ferries.

For people who just need a ferry to get home, or to a long-anticipated medical appointment, or work, or an endless number of other reasons, the excuses about a complex governance structure created by one government and maintained by another government, are unacceptable.

Missed medical appointments and an overall lack of certainty are really difficult for people to manage. It wears on people and I have a great deal of sympathy for the many exasperated and frustrated folks who rely on ferries.

Demand on the service is growing, and this summer they have been failing to keep up on many routes. However, it’s not every route and every sailing.

The challenge is meeting the peak demand.

Many suggestions for improving the system have been sent to BC Ferries and copied to my office. It’s important that you continue to direct your correspondence to them, and include me, and the Minister of Transportation. I will always advocate with both the corporation and government for a better service.

Increasing demand on the system, limited supply of space, aging infrastructure and consumer expectations are all factors that need balancing. The recipe for a perfectly running system year-round is always changing. In my opinion, the way they are currently structured too much of this is left to chance.

Improving the system

Getting on the ferry has always been a gamble. Show up and go, first come, first served. In most instances everyone who wants to get on a specific sailing is successful.

In recent years BC Ferries has added a reservation system on some routes to increase the certainty. Consumers reserving a spot on a specific sailing have had to pay a premium, which in my mind is the opposite of how it should be. Earlier this year BC Ferries announced that they are changing their reservation system this coming fall.

An expanded reservation system might allow for people to better plan their trips on and off the Southern Gulf Islands, limiting the amount of time needlessly wasted waiting for ferries. In addition, it might help BC Ferries plan to deal with higher than usual volumes if they knew it was trending that way well in advance. In addition, they are exploring variable pricing models to encourage more manageable traffic patterns.

I believe we can address the issues around uncertainty and limit missed appointments. While an expanded reservation system might not completely do away with the high volumes, we are seeing this summer, it will help everyone be able to plan better.

So, on this I would like to know your opinion:

Would you support an expanded reservation system for all trips on and off the Southern Gulf Islands? What are your thoughts?

CONTACT:  Adam.Olsen.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Adam Olsen ... is a Green Party Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Saanich North and the Islands.

Born in Victoria, BC in 1976, Adam has lived, worked and played his entire life on the Saanich Peninsula. He is a member of Tsartlip First Nation (W̱JOȽEȽP), where he and his wife, Emily, are raising their two children, Silas and Ella.