Editor:
Sunshine Coast FAC expresses strong disappointment with the recently announced B.C. Ferries shoulder season schedule.
The local ferry advisory committee has, over the last several years, implored B.C. Ferries to maintain a 5:30 p.m. Horseshoe Bay departure to Langdale to accommodate commuters.
We now find, after very limited consultation and notice (posted Aug. 25), that the 5:30 p.m. sailing has been delayed to 5:50 p.m. for the shoulder season (Sept. 7 to Oct. 11) and the Route 3 (Horseshoe Bay to Langdale) traditional 5:30 p.m. departure slot has been assigned to another route.
We acknowledge the delayed departure will be of significant inconvenience to many. Further, we note that in spite of the later departure, travellers relying on TransLink's 257 express will still need to leave Vancouver at 4:35 p.m. as later departures will not accommodate the 10 minute cut-off time required by B.C. Ferries.
All in all, this is an unfortunate change in schedule by B.C. Ferries and one that your FAC has fought long and hard to avoid.
Southern Sunshine Coast FAC
