Horseshoe Bay-Nanaimo ferry route to resume at 50 per cent
Posted May 15, 2020 2:56 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — BC Ferries will restart running the Horseshoe Bay-Nanaimo route for passengers on June 3.
Vessels on that route have been used for cargo transport only since April 4 because of the pandemic.
Horseshoe Bay-Nanaimo route will be run like others, which are operating at 50 per cent capacity, for now.
“I am very pleased that after talks with BC Ferries, passenger service between West Vancouver and Nanaimo has been reinstated,” said Transportation Minister Claire Trevena.
Breaking: @BCFerries will start running the Horseshoe Bay-Nanaimo route for passengers again June 3rd. It's been cargo transport only since April 4th because of the pandemic. They'll run like other routes are now at 50% capacity max.#bcpoli #covid19 @NEWS1130 pic.twitter.com/K0wfBmwAOo
— LizaYuzda (@LizaYuzda) May 15, 2020
“We have been working closely with BC Ferries to get service back to levels that people need. Since the premier announce the gradual reopening of our economy, we have seen increased interest in travel, which is why this service is resuming.”
Trevena said service needs to meet demands, with the appropriate level of service.
Transport Canada regulations, which limit passenger capacity to 50 percent, are still in effect.
“We are still urging everyone to avoid non-essential travel, and not to visit other communities, to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” Trevena said.
“The reinstated service is good news for essential travel and helps support supply chains. People trust our transportation network and we are providing the service they need to travel safely.
While BC Ferries is telling people to avoid non-essential travel, the first three sailings from Tsawwassen to Duke Point on Friday, before the long weekend, were 100 per cent full before 7 a.m..
