The mayors of Gibsons and Bowen Island have written to British Columbia’s premier demanding “pressing motion” on ferry reliability.
The 2 communities are each closely reliant on ferry service out of Horseshoe Bay, and have each handled current complications.
On Monday, a vessel serving the Sunshine Coast route had mechanical problems that left passengers stranded for hours and resulted in multiple sailing cancellations and the deployment of water taxis.
In February, Bowen Island went without ferry service for several days when its ferry dock was broken in tough climate.
The corporate has additionally confronted a current litany of mechanical woes throughout vessels serving its main southern routes.
“We’ve had very extreme ferry service points, each on the Sunshine Coast and Bowen Island,” Gibsons Mayor Silas White instructed International Information.
“We’ve seen a deterioration of service on Bowen Island over the past variety of years,” added Bowen Island Mayor Andrew Leonard.
“Regardless of repeated makes an attempt to get their consideration, to see operational adjustments, to see capability adjustments and to see them deal with the problems our residents are going through … we haven’t gotten a significant response.”
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The mayors say Premier David Eby dedicated in 2023 to creating BC Ferries a “high precedence,” however that they proceed to take care of unreliable service that has effects on each residents’ journey plans, well being and livelihoods.
The letter makes 4 calls for of the provincial authorities.
The mayors need an “accountable governance desk” that would come with native governments alongside BC Ferries management and regulators.
Additionally they need extra transparency on BC Ferries operational information, together with real-time and historic efficiency metrics, together with speedy service enhancements on their two routes, together with higher vessel redundancy and a timeline for vessel and terminal upgrades.
The mayors are additionally calling for the reinstatement of “significant neighborhood engagement” to interchange the disbanded Ferry Advisory Committee.
Together with the calls for, the mayors say they need a gathering with Eby and Transportation Minister Mike Farnworth.
International Information is searching for remark from the provincial authorities.
BC Ferries is within the midst of launching a serious vessel alternative program, with new diesel-battery hybrid ferries to interchange the getting older Queens of Alberni, New Westminster, Coquitlam, and Cowichan, that are the oldest main ships nonetheless in use.
The corporate utilized to obtain 5 vessels, however the impartial British Columbia Ferries Commissioner permitted 4.
The corporate is aiming to have the primary of the brand new vessels in service by spring 2029.
© 2025 International Information, a division of Corus Leisure Inc.
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