For Immediate Release
23-011
May 11, 2023

BC FERRIES GEARED UP FOR EXTRA MAY LONG WEEKEND SERVICE

VICTORIA – With peak demand expected between May 18 and May 23, BC Ferries is adding 95 extra sailings to accommodate the more than 430,000 passengers and 170,000 vehicles expected to travel over the May long weekend.

To meet the surge in traffic, BC Ferries is scheduling additional sailings between Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast as follows:
 

• 66 extra sailings between Vancouver (Tsawwassen) - Victoria (Swartz Bay) including 6 am sailings on Sat., May 20 and Tues., May 23
• 18 extra sailings between Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) - Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
• 11 extra sailings between Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) - Sunshine Coast (Langdale)

“Like the Easter long weekend, we continue to face staffing challenges and the potential for cancellations,” said Dean Dobrinsky, Interim Vice President, People and Culture. “I want to thank all our employees who are accepting overtime to help us deliver extra sailings to support customers through this busy weekend.”

BC Ferries continues to hire and train staff necessary for the summer travel season. In particular, over 125 licensed officers (captains, engineers, chief officers) have been brought on board this year to ensure Transport Canada safety requirements are met on all sailings. Ensuring the company has an adequate relief pool of these positions is a priority and key to reducing cancellations due to crewing.

At this time, limited bookings are available throughout the weekend departing from Horseshoe Bay and customers travelling stand-by from that terminal can expect sailing waits. Customers without bookings should consider alternate plans, including using public transit or travelling with their vehicle through the Tsawwassen terminal to access Vancouver Island. There will be longer than usual line-ups in the pre-ticketing zone in front of the vehicle tollbooths. If traffic exceeds the capacity of the pre-ticketing area, stand-by traffic may be turned away and asked to return at a later time for safety reasons.

The most popular long weekend travel times on many routes are usually Thursday and Friday afternoon, and Saturday morning with the majority of traffic departing from Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals. Historically, the holiday Monday is the most desired time for travellers returning from Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. Sailing waits are expected at peak times for customers travelling without a booking.
Other travel tips for the May long weekend include:
 

• Book in advance – secure a spot early on the sailing day and time of choice. Customers with flexibility in their travel plans can sail at off-peak times to avoid the rush and take advantage of Saver fares on select sailings.
• Arrive early – Customers with a booking should plan to arrive at the terminal 45-60 minutes before their scheduled departure. Walk-on passengers should arrive 45 minutes before their anticipated sailing. Please refer to current conditions and plan accordingly.
• Expect sailing waits at popular times – Sailing waits are common during popular travel periods for customers without a booking. If bookings are sold out, the best option to avoid sailing waits is to travel during less busy times. These are typically mid-week days and early morning or late evening sailings.
• Ride-share or take public transit to and from major terminals. For schedule information visit TransLink or BC Transit.
• Consider parking options – Parking lots at the major terminals fill up quickly at peak periods. When parking lots fill up, BC Ferries informs customers via Twitter @BCFerries and on the website.
• Keep hydrated – Bring plenty of water for you and your pets. Hats and sunscreen are always a good idea. BC Ferries makes every effort to get traffic inside the holding compounds, however during peak periods, customers may have to wait outside the terminal where access to amenities is extremely limited.
• Know before you go – Check Current Conditions and All Routes at a Glance for the status of your sailing on your day of travel. Follow @BCFerries on Twitter for regular updates, seven days a week.
• For full schedule information, current conditions, bookings, and promotional offers, please visitbcferries.com. For the most up-to-date travel information, follow @BCFerries on Twitter.