BC Ferries adds 110 sailings in anticipation of busy long weekend
BC Ferries is planning to add 110 extra sailings to its schedule over what is expected to be a busy May long weekend.
The ferry service said Monday it would provide the additional sailings between Metro Vancouver, the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island from Thursday, May 19, to Tuesday, May 24.
BC Ferries said its recent hiring blitz, in which it took on approximately 500 new employees, will allow the company to accommodate the additional holiday traffic.
The extra trips include 74 sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, including 6 a.m. departures on May 19-21 and 24.
The Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay route will see 25 extra sailings over the long weekend, while the Horseshoe Bay to Langdale route will have 11 extra sailings.
"The highest volumes of travellers are generally seen leaving Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals Thursday and Friday afternoon, as well as Saturday morning," said BC Ferries in a statement Monday.
"Historically, Monday afternoon is the most popular time for people to return from Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast."
Travellers are advised to take public transit to the ferry terminal, if possible, as parking spots are expected to fill up quickly. Travellers are also advised to book tickets in advance and arrive 45 to 60 minutes before their scheduled departure.
BC Ferries estimates it will transport 300,000 passengers and 100,000 vehicles between Thursday and Monday. The company says it expects to serve more than 20,000 hamburgers, 5,000 bowls of ice cream and 21,000 cups of coffee over the same period.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city, marking the first franchise in Canada
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.