Editor:
I am a long-time, frequent walk-on commuter and have some comments in regards to the service levels on the Langdale route. Simply put, there are not enough sailings in the late afternoon during the busy late spring to fall period. Another smaller ship is needed to take walk-on passengers and some of the vehicle pressure off the Queen of Surrey, which can take up to 40 minutes to load.
Ferry crews do a good job in stressful conditions, and most riders are good-natured enough to realize that some delays are inevitable. But people's patience is tested after repeated long delays and mechanical breakdowns brought about by bad planning and unrealistic schedules. B.C. Ferries has had 50 years to practise and get it right. Why do they act so surprised when they are busy?
These consistently late boats negatively impact many lives. The way the scheduling works, many people who commute have their work day extended by almost two hours. Many people say "enough, the cost to our personal lives isn't worth it" and move to another location.
Will the decision makers at B.C. Ferries look at hourly service to the Coast during peak periods? Adding a second ship and more frequent sailings are key to planning for an efficient ferry service to this area.
James Dodds
Langdale
