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BC Ferries restores Powell River routes

Service cuts made in 2017 will be added to schedule
North Island Princess
North Island Princess transports BC Ferries passengers between Powell River and Texada Island.

BC Ferries routes between Powell River and Texada Island and Earls Cove and Saltery Bay.

The announcement made by the province on Friday, February 22, did not include what schedule changes will be added. It stated that ferry service changes on the two Powell River routes made in 2017 will be reversed.

“For coastal communities like ours, ferry service is essential to keep connected and today’s announcement provides ample reason to celebrate,” stated Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons in a media release. “Permanently reinstating sailings that were cut by the previous government will help ensure families, small business owners, and seniors have easier access travelling along two popular BC Ferries routes.”

These service changes come in response to the Redlin report, a comprehensive operating review of the coastal ferry service that identified opportunities to improve services under the current model. In announcing the ferry changes, BC minister of transportation and infrastructure Claire Trevena, also released the Redlin report.

Reversal of the 2017 route cancellations will affect service on 10 ferry routes servicing coastal communities, restoring 2,700 round-trip sailings.

In a media release from BC Ferries on Friday, February 22, president and chief executive officer Mark Collins stated he was pleased that a review confirms the coastal ferry service is a vital part of the provincial economy.

“We appreciate the review concluding that BC Ferries is on the whole a well-run company,” stated Collins.

It is not known at this time when the schedule changes will come into effect.