Hours-long waits greet BC Ferries passengers ahead of long weekend
Anyone looking to catch a ferry from the B.C. mainland to Vancouver Island ahead of the long weekend is looking at lengthy delays.
As of 3:45 p.m. Thursday, sailings departing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay and Duke Point are full for the remainder of the day, according to BC Ferries.
"We are extremely busy at the Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay terminals this afternoon," said BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall.
"Customers without a reservation are having to face multiple sailing waits," she said.
Sailings going from Vancouver Island to Tsawwassen remain available in the evening as of Thursday afternoon.
BC Ferries is advising travellers who want to travel from the mainland to Vancouver Island to take the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay route Thursday, though spots are limited.
Marshall told CTV News on Thursday afternoon that the ferry service was trying to add another sailing from the mainland to the island Thursday night.
"I know there are some customers who are not happy with the situation right now, but it is the busiest weekend of the year and we are advising customers, if they are travelling without a reservation, they may want to consider travelling at off-peak times," said Marshall.
BC Ferries adds that it thinks that wildfires in the Interior may be impacting this weekend's traffic volumes.
"We are assuming there were some people who were planning on heading to the Interior this weekend, but because of the smoke and the restrictions they are maybe choosing to come to Vancouver Island instead, and it's maybe a last minute decision," Marshall said.
On Monday, BC Ferries warned of likely sailing delays during the B.C. Day long weekend, from Thursday, July 29 to Tuesday, Aug. 3.
The company says that the August long weekend is usually its busiest long weekend of the year, with peak travel times occurring on Thursday afternoon, Friday afternoon, and Saturday morning for sailings departing from Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay.
BC Ferries adds that B.C. Day Monday, Aug. 2, is usually the busiest day for people returning to the mainland from Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.
The company recommends avoiding these peak travel times to minimize the risk of waiting for a sailing delay, and to arrive well in advance of your desired sailing.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Poilievre will do 'anything to win,' must condemn Alex Jones endorsement: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is ramping up his attacks on Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as he promotes his government's federal budget.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Ottawa injects another $36M into fund for those seriously injured or killed by vaccines
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
Ex-SNC executive sentenced to prison term in bridge bribery case
The RCMP says a former SNC-Lavalin executive has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison in connection with a bribery scheme for a bridge repair contract in Montreal.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.