Some Background on the Schedule Refinements ~

I want to make it clear right at the outset that I am not writing this in any official capacity, but just as a very interested resident, property owner, and ferry customer.

My understanding of the process at this point (subject to correction if needed) is that the Ministry’s schedule adjustments were a way of achieving their desired cost savings, but these are not the only way that the changes could be implemented.

If one refers to the Ministry’s original document, distributed at the consultation meeting on Thetis, it did not mention retaining/not retaining the present last round trip sailing time and finish time. It appeared to show all of the later PM sailings moved earlier to fill the gap due to the deletion of the 1820/1850 sailing, but did not specify the time. The website appears to say that the un-numbered Ministry option would not change the timing of the last round trip.

The two other options that are “refinements" are designed to achieve the same cost savings, while making the resulting schedule meet the needs of the Route 20 customers as much as possible.

Option 1 is very simple. The PM “Thetis only” 1820/1850 sailing is eliminated, and all of the subsequent sailings are moved earlier to fill the gap, making the last round trip and the finish time earlier.

Option 2 includes exactly the same changes in the PM sailings, except for a few minutes difference in some sailing times: (1820/1850 sailing eliminated, all subsequent sailings are moved earlier to fill the gap, making the last round trip and the finish time earlier). In addition, there are changes in the order of some of the AM sailings to address traffic patterns and reduce the impact of the gaps in the schedule for both islands.

All of the changes in option 2 (except for the earlier time for the last sailing) were generated right here at Route 20, and all of them were presented to the FAC for this route at a well-attended FAC meeting on December 11^th, 2011. During that meeting, the rationale behind every proposed change was explained to the FAC members. It was also explained that not all of the changes were interdependent. The FAC could pick and choose the ones that they felt at broad support. At the end of the meeting, the members made a commitment to go back to their respective communities and discuss the possible changes, and come back to BC Ferries with their proposed schedule changes.

Unfortunately, very shortly after that meeting, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure put a hold on any schedule discussions on any route, pending the Ministry’s review of the entire BC Ferries system.

So, here is your chance to pick one of the options, or to pick parts of the options. BC Ferries will be meeting with the FAC prior to the final schedule decisions being made. Be sure to fill out the questionnaire - including comments on any particular part that you strongly like/dislike - and also let the FAC members know what you think.

Bill Dickie