Another long weekend is upon us, with warm weather and the extra day off enticing qathet region residents to leave town to visit family or friends, or to seek adventure or relaxation elsewhere.
The flip side, of course, is the expected influx of people coming the other way. Sometimes getting here, or there, is half the battle.
BC Ferries says it will be operating at maximum capacity over the BC Day long weekend, and anticipates carrying more than 400,000 passengers and 140,000 vehicles throughout its fleet of vessels. 2,500 sailings are scheduled, covering more than 22,000 nautical miles.
The company offered the following tips for navigating heavy ferry traffic from July 28 to August 1:
• Heavy traffic is expected on Thursday and Friday, and Sunday afternoon and Monday. BC Ferries recommends travelling Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning.
• Buy lower-cost saver fares offered on many routes at off-peak times.
• Book in advance and book early at bcferries.com. Customers who do not have an advance booking will likely experience sailing waits at peak times.
• If you choose not to make a reservation, the less-busy times are usually mid-week days, and early-morning or late-evening sailings.
• Carpool if possible or walk on the ferry. Vehicle deck space fills up quickly.
• Since parking at terminals fills quickly, take transit or make arrangements to be dropped off at a terminal. For parking-lot updates, check Twitter or go to bcferries.com.
• Arrive 45 to 60 minutes prior to departure if you have a reservation. Walk-on passengers should be at the terminal 45 minutes before the sailing. Those with important appointments or travel connections should consider taking an earlier ferry.
• Prepare for high temperatures and bring enough water for yourself and any pets travelling with you.
• For the latest information on Comox/Powell River, Saltery Bay/Earls Cove and Texada/Powell River routes, and all other routes, go to bcferries.com or follow BC Ferries on Twitter @BCFerries.
