BC Ferries passengers are hopeful the corporation will make good on promises for more reliable service this coming summer.
If you travelled on the ferry system during some of last year’s peak weekends, you might have dealt with tech problems, mechanical troubles or staffing issues that affected many customers and sailings.
But on Wednesday, BC Ferries said it has made changes it believes will ensure this summer will be better.
The ferry corporation touted the hiring of hundreds of new staff and improvements to fleet maintenance and refit schedules, saying it is ready for the busy season ahead.
But as we head into the Victoria Day long weekend — the unofficial start to the summer travel season — are travellers ready to believe it?
“It’s usually bad this weekend, specifically,” said one passenger at BC Ferries’ Horseshoe Bay terminal in West Vancouver. “I travel all the time and the lineups are pretty large. It’s really difficult booking because a lot of bookings are gone two weeks ahead.”
Another traveller told CityNews he’s still dealing with delays.
“Yesterday I was here and the 1 o’clock ferry that I’m catching today was actually delayed to 2. It messed up my connection in Nanaimo to get to Comox, so that’s why I’m leaving today.”
Others point out there are situations beyond BC Ferries’ control.
“There are all kinds of circumstances. It can be weather, it can be somebody’s car doesn’t work, or something like that. You give a little bit of leeway for that.”
BC Ferries admits there are always things that will go wrong during the busy peak season.
“It’s often as a result of factors beyond our control,” Darren Johnston, vice president of marine operations with ferry service, said Wednesday. “But we are ready for that.”