BC Ferries predicts summer travel demand 'could well break new records'
BC Ferries says its internal research is showing strong demand for vehicle traffic this summer, which could lead to a record-breaking season.
BC Ferries CEO Mark Collins says traffic is already on the rise, with volumes hitting "at or above levels that we saw pre-pandemic."
"We think passengers will be down slightly compared to pre-pandemic, so maybe not a record there," he told CTV News on Thursday.
"But it looks like vehicular traffic could well break new records this summer."
Collins says a large factor in that estimate is pent-up demand.
Some ferry travellers that CTV News spoke with on Thursday were more skeptical, however.
"I kind of doubt it with high gas prices," said traveller John Jensen.
BC Ferries has also faced service challenges throughout the pandemic due to staffing shortages.
"It's going to suck to try to get anywhere without a reservation," said ferry passenger Tom Houson.
The BC Ferries Swartz Bay terminal is shown: July 13, 2020 (CTV News)
STAFF SHORTAGE
Collins says BC Ferries has hired about 850 new workers since January, and that the company is looking to hire roughly 160 more to prepare for the summer season.
"We look internally first," he said. "We develop, we train, we put a lot of investment into our people and try and grow from within."
Eric McNeely, president of the BC Ferry and Marine Workers' union, says it's hard to find skilled workers.
"Competition is fierce out there," he said, noting that prospective workers are weighing the hours of work required and salaries being offered.
"Some of the locations are hard to hire into," he added. "Salt Spring Island, Gibsons."
BC Ferries says it's working hard to hire more employees and is offering a new signing bonus of up to $10,000 for some senior positions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
World's record-breaking hot temperature streak stretches through April
The world just experienced its hottest April on record, extending an 11-month streak in which every month set a temperature record, the European Union's climate change monitoring service said on Wednesday.
BREAKING Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Boy Scouts of America is rebranding. Here's why they've changed their name
After more than a century, Boy Scouts of America is rebranding as Scouting America, another major shakeup for an organization that once proudly resisted change.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Trial begins for Winnipeg serial killer who claims he was mentally ill
The trial of a man who admits he killed four women in Winnipeg is set to begin Wednesday, and a law professor says lawyers for Jeremy Skibicki have multiple hurdles to clear for a defence of mental illness.