BC Ferries expects heavy traffic over Thanksgiving long weekend, says foot passengers may see waits
BC Ferries is warning travellers that the upcoming Thanksgiving long weekend will be a busy one along its major routes.
Between Thursday, Oct. 6, and Tuesday, Oct. 11, BC Ferries estimates that over 420,000 passengers and 160,000 vehicles will make a ferry trip.
During that time, BC Ferries will be adding 85 extra sailings across its network, most of which will be added to the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route.
BC Ferries is adding sailings to these three routes between Thursday and Tuesday:
- Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay: 66 extra sailings, including 6 a.m. departures from both Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen each day
- Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay: 12 extra sailings
- Horseshoe Bay – Langdale: Seven extra sailings
Service changes are also expected for southern Gulf Island customers between Salt Spring, Pender, Galiano and Saturna islands on Oct. 10 to meet estimated traffic demands, though BC Ferries did not specify what those changes entailed in its release Monday.
POSSIBLE WAITS
BC Ferries is warning walk-on passengers that they may see possible waits during the upcoming long weekend.
"The Thanksgiving long weekend is typically the most popular weekend of the year for walk-on passengers," said BC Ferries in a release Monday.
"At peak times, some sailings may reach passenger capacity and some walk-on customers may experience a sailing wait."
BC Ferries says walk-on passengers can reserve spot for free on any of the three routes that connect Vancouver Island to Metro Vancouver, and along the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route.
To avoid waits, BC Ferries also encourages walk-on and vehicle passengers to book off-peak sailing times, which are offered at discounted prices through its "saver" fares.
Off-peak times generally include early morning or late evening sailings, as well as mid-week days.
"BC Ferries appreciates the professionalism of staff and the patience of customers as the company navigates one of the busiest long weekends of the year," said the company Monday.
"Abusive behaviour will not be tolerated and everyone is encouraged to be respectful, kind, calm, and safe."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.