Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

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?





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.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

GORDON F. D. WILSON: When The Trick Masquerades as The Treat

Thirty-seven years ago, Halloween 1987, I became the leader of the BC Liberal Party.   British Columbia was badly polarized. Social Credit held one side and the NDP the other. It had been twelve years, 1975, since Liberal MLAs Garde Gardom, Pat McGeer, and Alan Williams had walked away from their party to join Social Credit, one year after the lone Progressive Conservative MLA Hugh Curtis had abandoned his party to sit with Bill Bennett, the son and heir apparent to long-serving BC Premier, WAC Bennett.   An unwritten agreement by the biggest Canadian political shareholders, the federal Liberals and Conservatives, decided that if British Columbia was to remain a lucrative franchise from a revenue perspective, they couldn’t risk splitting the electoral vote and electing the real enemy, the NDP, so no resources would be used to finance either a Liberal or Conservative party provincially.   “There are two sides to every street,” I was told by a very prominent Canadian businessman who cont
Post a Comment
Read more

FORSETH: As a BC Conservative member, and campaign worker, I will again state that the fact these errors were found -- AND brought to light BY Elections BC -- shows the system IS working

Sadly, two and a half weeks after the BC provincial election campaign, those who want to undermine our political process are still at.  PLUS, we also have one who doesn’t even live in our country, never mind our province. I speak of the buffoon running for President of the United States, who has poisoned the well when it comes to faith in the electoral process. Just today alone, comments such as the following, were being made of posts that I shared online: ... all the votes they keep finding has just favoured NDP on in all critical ridings and soon they will flip another riding in favour of NDP, Come on. ... Elections BC has ridiculed British Columbians, and I no longer have confidence or trust in their process and competence regarding the results Then there are others online, with comments like these – who are claiming fraud in the October 19th election: ... Who is the oversight for Elections BC? They should be investigated for election fraud! ... Fraudulent election ... should be red
Post a Comment
Read more

“With the talent and dedication of this caucus we will hold David Eby to account for his government’s out of control spending and ongoing failures in healthcare, public safety and addictions" — John Rustad

Today, John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, proudly unveiled his shadow cabinet, a dynamic team of talented individuals ready to hold David Eby’s disastrous government accountable and present a strong alternative vision for British Columbia. “ Our shadow cabinet is a diverse and experienced group, committed to restoring prosperity, public safety, and affordability for every British Columbian ,” said Rustad. “ With experts in every field, we are focused on delivering real solutions for the challenges our province faces .” Rustad emphasized the historic appointment of Aaliya Warbus as House Leader. The shadow cabinet reflects the Conservative Party’s vision to build a brighter future for British Columbia. The appointments are as follows: Leadership Positions : Aaliya Warbus – House Leader Bruce Banman – Whip Sheldon Claire – Deputy Whip Portfolios : Tony Luck – Municipal Affairs and Local Government Sharon Hartwell – Rural Communities and Rural Development I
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more