Representatives from BC Ferries returned to the Upper Sunshine Coast this week, their third visit in 14 months, to present final alternative service details during the berth upgrades this winter. The plans were welcomed by concerned residents in both Powell River and Texada Island.
About 60 people attended the Powell River meeting held on Monday, November 25 and 50 in Gillies Bay on Tuesday, November 26.
“Last time we did an open house session there were still some details that we didn’t have,” said Darin Guenette, BC Ferries manager of public affairs.
BC Ferries is upgrading its terminals in Powell River and Comox from January to March 2014, and the alternative service plans are split into two parts.
From January 12 to February 7, both the Westview and Little River terminals will be closed and service between Powell River and Vancouver Island will operate between Saltery Bay and Nanaimo.
Once Little River terminal is reopened February 8, ferry service will then operate between there and Saltery Bay, until Westview is completed on March 9. These trips will also include limited stops at Blubber Bay on Texada Island.
BC Ferries has published its final schedule for ferry trips during these periods, available on its website.
A flight service has been set up between Powell River and Comox. It is scheduled to run Monday to Friday, from January 12 to February 7 with Pacific Coastal Airlines.
In 2011, the ferry corporation set up a similar service while ferry service between Comox and Powell River was interrupted due to mechanical issues with the Queen of Burnaby. “It’s primarily for medical appointments,” said Guenette, adding that the flights are not usually completely booked and often there is room for others on a first-come, first-served basis.
Passengers wishing to take the flight will need to make a reservation with BC Ferries. On October 15, the corporation opened the reservation system for booking seats. Some of those seats have now been booked, reported Guenette. Passengers on the flights will have ground shuttle service from Comox airport to Campbell River, Courtenay and Comox. Tickets for the flights cost the same as a foot passenger fare on the ferries.
During the whole period of terminal upgrades, a water taxi service will operate between Texada, at Texada Boat Club in Van Anda, and Powell River. Discovery Marine Safaris Ltd., a company based out of Campbell River, has been contracted to handle the service.
BC Ferries has also coordinated with BC Transit to set a schedule for a free land shuttle service from Westview to Saltery Bay. Walk-on passengers are being encouraged to park their car at Westview terminal parking lot and take the shuttle to the ferry terminal.
From January 12 to February 7, there will be a 7:35 am and a 9 pm shuttle from Westview to Saltery Bay with return service.
BC Transit has scheduled three trips throughout the day from February 8 to March 9, leaving Westview ferry terminal at 7:35 am, 4 pm and 9:20 pm, to take people to Saltery Bay with a stop at Black Point Store. Shuttle service is also scheduled to pick ferry passengers up at Saltery Bay. BC Transit has also set up free service between Shelter Point and Texada Boat Club on Thursdays.
“We promised to come back again closer to the closure to make sure that everyone has a real firm idea in their minds about all those little details,” Guenette said.
The ferry corporation has listened to public concerns and responded to them, he said. He added that the schedule for the alternative ferry service to Texada was amended to help ensure fresh food was able to make it to the island on the same day.
“We were able to make a change happen that made sense for Texada, so it made sense for us,” he added.
Sandy McCormick is a Texada representative on the Northern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee. She was at the meeting in Gillies Bay.
“They’ve really worked hard,” said McCormick. Despite her misgivings about the recent service reduction announcement, she thinks the ferry corporation has responded well to the issues Texada Island residents brought to them during the last open house in August.
“Generally, people accept that this work needs to be done,” she added. “It’s a huge inconvenience, but we do realize that once in a lifetime something like this is going to happen.”
In addition to rolling out the plans for alternative service, BC Ferries director of terminal construction David Carroll was on hand at both meetings and informed audiences that the project is on schedule. He called the success of the project so far, “a testimony to good planning.”
For more information and detailed schedules for alternative ferry service, readers can visit BC Ferries' website or call the customer service line at 1.888.BC.FERRY (1.888.223.3779).
