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February 11, 2020
BC Ferries ready to implement Texada-Comox pilot
Direct service offered Wednesdays and Saturdays
VICTORIA – Starting Wednesday, February 19, 2020, BC Ferries will be launching a pilot that offers direct service, on select days, between Blubber Bay terminal on Texada Island and Little River terminal in Comox. BC Ferries developed this pilot in cooperation with the Northern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee for the convenience of Texada Island travellers.Every Wednesday and Saturday, the first sailing on the Powell River - Comox route to leave Westview terminal will make a stop at Blubber Bay to load a maximum of ten standard vehicles, prior to continuing on to Comox. On the last sailing leaving Comox, Texada-bound customers will have an opportunity to sail directly to Blubber Bay. Regardless of deck space available, only the first ten standard vehicles to arrive for each applicable sailing will be loaded on the vessel. Commercial vehicles are not included in the pilot.
Customers departing from Blubber Bay should stage their vehicles in the small lot off the left side of the road just prior to reaching the terminal. The lot will have signage indicating it is in use for these specific sailings, and customers are required to arrive a minimum of 30 minutes prior to scheduled sailing time. A staff member will direct vehicles from the lot when the vessel is ready to load. Customers will pay fares at the cashier in the Coastal Café on board the vessel, with a single rate of $35 for standard vehicle and $10.95 for the driver, adult passengers in a vehicle or adult foot passengers. B.C. seniors travelling on Wednesdays when the senior discount applies, will pay $35 for the vehicle only. Cash, credit and debit are acceptable payment methods on board, however the Experience Card will not be available as an on board payment method.
Customers departing from Little River also must arrive a minimum of 30 minutes prior to sailing time and will pay fares at the ticket booth prior to being directed to an applicable staging lane. A fare of $35 for standard vehicles and $13.50 for adult passengers ($10.95 with Experience Card) will apply. Current payment methods include cash, credit and Experience Card.
The pilot will be in place for up to two years with ongoing analysis of its viability. Success of the pilot will be measured by a number of factors including the mitigation of additional costs, how well used the sailings are, fare payments, effectiveness of the modified schedule, ongoing safe and secure operations and continued support from all communities involved. With these criteria, BC Ferries will evaluate the pilot when considering future options.
The sailing schedules on Wednesdays and Saturdays have been modified to accommodate the additional stops at Blubber Bay, and customers should check bcferries.com for exact sailing times.
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Media Contact:
BC Ferries, Media Relations
Victoria: (250) 978-1267
Fax (250) 978-1119 bcferries.com/bcfnews/
Note to newsrooms: For urgent media inquiries off-hours, call our emergency pager at (250) 516-7211.
Customer Contact:
Victoria: (250) 386-3431
Toll-free: 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779)