Subject: Salt Spring Island Ferry Service Comment to the BC Ferries Commissioner's Report of March 31, 2023.
Date: April 2, 2023 at 3:41:08 PM PDT
To: premier@gov.bc.ca, rob.fleming.mla@leg.bc.ca, Mike.Farnworth.MLA@leg.bc.ca, nicolas.jimenez@bcferries.com, "BC Ferry Commission, BC BCFC:EX" <info@bcferrycommission.ca>
Response to the SSI - Ferry Advisory Committee - Chair.
Comment from the Chair of the Salt Spring Island - Ferry Advisory Committee on Part 6 Submission to the BC Ferries Commissioner - Eva Hage of Saturna Island.
Comments embedded in bold and italics from the Patrons of Routes 6,4,9 to the Chair's submission.
Oct. 21, 2022 Comments on the "BC Ferries Submission for PT6", by the Salt Spring Island Ferry Advisory Committee
The Salt Spring Island Ferry Advisory Committee is in broad agreement with the thrust and the details of the"BC Ferries Submission to the Commissioners for PT6". We endorse in general the BCF 'committment to service' in the form of such proposals as: the enhanced movement of passengers and freight throughout the routes; the reduction of the impact of the marine traffic on the marine environment and marine wildlife; and the ongoing push for fuel efficiencies. We also recognize that these efforts will be ongoing well beyond the scope of PT6.
"Agreed!"
The Submission recognizes that the two routes connecting Salt Spring to Vancouver Island are among the heaviest traffic routes in the BCF system with Route 4 particularly challenged regarding vehicular capacity.
Politely Disagree! In 2019 Pre Pandemic level traffic level compared to 2022, hopefully coming out the backside of the Pandemic.
Route 4 - Fulford Hrb traffic is up 3%.
Route 6 - Vesuvius Bay traffic is up 9%
Route 5 - SGI traffic is up 9.4%
What's interesting on Route 6 - Crofton Commercial Traffic is constrained weight wise because the Ramps and Trestles are beyond their useful life - 50+ years since anything of importance to the infrastructure has been addressed. Commercial Traffic beyond the current weight limits travel over the Malahat to access Salt Spring Island via Swartz Bay. That skews the data for Route 6. The flood gates open when we have new trestles and ramps at Crofton and Vesuvius to carry proper Commercial Truck Loads.
The short-term stop-gap proposal to increase the peak-season daily round trips between Fulford and SWB should help significantly although it could possibly disrupt the current thrufare connection somewhat.
Disgree - "Significantly help" Seriously? How is one extra sailing carrying 100 extra cars (Max) from 6:00AM to 7:00PM going to address the One Way Traffic Gauntlet on the Fulford Hill? We believe this comment to be disingenuous.
However, as there is hourly service on Route 1 during the same peak season, the disruption should be minimal and we therefore endorse the proposal as a temporary measure to resolve the severe overload and road congestion problems on this route. Moving the MV Quinsam to route 4 for additional peak season service within a few years. ("Within a few years", means July and August of 2027. By our math that's in 4 years time. Heaven Help Us!) will be another positive step but as traffic builds over the years the "peak" season for the Quinsam on Route 4 will eventually become all year-round and BC Ferries will hopefully implement a much needed two - ship service on this route. The "pinchpoint" accident-in-waiting site on the Fulford-Ganges Road would then be resolved.
The Infamous Pinch Point, has been there since 1997 when the MV Skeena Queen was 1st commissioned. When the Skeena Queen is full, the traffic goes up Fulford Hill to the Beaver Point turn off. The parking containment area has never been addressed in 26 years. Where has our FAC Chair and CRD Director been for the last 12 years?
With reference to Route 6, the Submission proposes to deploy the twin Island Class ferries to Route 6 by Fiscal 2027 in better co-ordination with the timing of the upgrades of the Vesuvius and Crofton terminals which will be completed for the 2028 peak season.
No, we are not looking for Service in 2028, we are looking for relief from this Traffic Quagmire and Public Safety Issue in the Fall of 2026.
The SSIFAC has been advocating for several years that both Public Comments on the Preliminary Price Cap Decision for the Sixth Performance Term changes to Route 6 should be scheduled as closely in time as possible to maximize the operational benefits of capacity upgrades for both ships and terminals.
So why haven't you and the CRD Director signed the Petition - "The Fix for Route Six", since December 22, 2021? The Petition is still effect. Please do. Along with the "Fix for Fulford" would be truly appreciated.
The SSIFAC recognizes that economic, financial, demographic and/or other factors may somewhat disrupt the timing of the schedules of the above improvements to ferry service to Salt Spring Island but we totally endorse and support these proposals as they stand.
As the Ferry Advisory Committee - Chair, let's never Advocate for improved Infrastructure and Service, other than what's being offered. That's the part we don't understand. Eva Hage in 2015 & 16 as a Resident and Chair of the Ratepayers Association on Saturna Island which currently has 265 full time residents, campaigned vociferously for the SGI Service to remain and Infrastructure improvements. It worked, 6 years later they have the New Salish Class Vessel - Salish Heron (138 vehicles) and the Queen Cumberland generally 80 Vehicles but with the ramps down 112 for the Non-Stops to Saturna from Swartz Bay and onward. Population served 6100.
This pales in comparison from a year ago on Route 6 where the MV Quinitsa was in service providing service for 44 vehicles. Since last Spring we've been upgraded to the MV Quinsam service carrying 63 vehicles.
In 2022 Route 5 & 5a carried ~ 287,500 vehicles with 2 Vessels capable of carrying 250 vehicles in the latter part of 2022 and currently. Most recently being served in the months of February and March with 2 Salish Class vessels.
In 2022 Route 6 carried ~ 270,800 with 1 Vessel capable of carrying 63 vehicles. Meanwhile Route 6 is the least subsidized Route in the Inter Island System.
There's the disconnect between the SSI FAC Chair and the Patrons of Routes 6,4,9 with almost 3000 Petitioners strong, minus the majority of the SSI - FAC. Salt Spring Island Population 11,700.
We continue to Advocate to the New CEO of BC Ferries - Nicolas Jimenez, BC Ferries Commissioner - Eva Hage, Premier David Eby, Minister Rob Fleming - Transportation and Infrastructure and most recently here on Island with Minister Mike Farnworth - Public Safety.
In essence that's the biggest part of our Campaign - Public Safety.
Patrons on Routes 6,4,9
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