Travel & Transportation

Bus and Ferry Schedules now LIVE on the Exchange!

We are pleased to announce that we are now publishing the local bus and ferry schedules on the Exchange! We have also embedded the web cam links for both Vesuvius and Fulford terminals so you can check the schedule and the cams at the same time. https://saltspringexchange.com/bus-ferry-schedules/

NEW Web Cams for SSI - Road Work on Fulford-Ganges Hill

We got a call a little while back from our friends at Country Grocer, saying “Hey, we think most people would really appreciate having better eyes on the road work on Fulford-Ganges Hill! Would you guys be up to putting up more web cams? We will pitch in!” “Why yes we would!” We started by trying to figure out where the cams would best be situated. The best location was actually pretty obvious. We called Conrad over at Salt Spring Search and Rescue to see if they would be interested in helping us out. These guys are amazing! Super helpful, excited and really collaborative. Thanks Conrad and the team there especially Bill Griffiths for handling the install. Also a big shout out to Christopher Roy for helping pull all the technical parts together. Christopher and Bill worked tirelessly for the last few days getting these all up and running while upgrading our other cameras so they could stream more clearly on all devices. Super team!! So now you can check out how…

BC Ferries Urges Long Weekend Passengers to Book Early Amid Limited Capacity

VICTORIA, BC – With the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Thanksgiving long weekends fast approaching, BC Ferries is advising passengers to book in advance due to limited capacity and the risk of being turned away. The 60-year-old Queen of New Westminster is undergoing significant repairs and will be out of service until spring, reducing overall system capacity and making advance travel planning essential. “Both of these long weekends are an important time for families and communities to connect, and we play a key role in facilitating those connections,” said Mel Lucia, Vice President of Customer Experience at BC Ferries. “We’re adding capacity where possible but having one of our major route vessels out of service and no resiliency in our fleet presents a challenge. Passengers are encouraged to book in advance, consider travelling during off-peak times, or walk on board to avoid disruptions during these busy periods.” To manage demand over both long weekends,…

Salt Spring Island Fall Service Change

SALT SPRING ISLAND – BC Transit and the Capital Regional District (CRD) are advising customers of a seasonal service change for Salt Spring Island, effective October 1, 2024. Changes will be made to the following routes, to align with ferry schedules: 2 Fulford Harbour 3 Vesuvius 4 Long Harbour There will be a seasonal reduction in trips on Saturdays for route 2 Fulford Harbour. As part of the fall service change, Route 9 Ruckle Park will be seasonally discontinued. Due to construction on Fulford-Ganges Road, there will be some impacts to Route 2 Fulford Harbour and Route 7 Cusheon Lake. For full details on schedules, trip planning, or fares, please visit bctransit.com/salt-spring-island or pick up a copy of the Riders’ Guide.

New Major Vessels to Increase Capacity and Reliability

Victoria, BC - BC Ferries is taking a major step forward in its New Major Vessels (NMV) project, marking a critical milestone in the company’s largest capital investment ever. To address projected population growth, replace aging vessels, and meet customer expectations, BC Ferries is now continuing the procurement process for the first five of seven new vessels needed for its busiest routes, with the remaining two new vessels to be built in a later phase. Additionally, work will be planned to extend the operational life of two existing C-Class vessels, the Queen of Surrey and the Queen of Oak Bay, through local shipyards and contractors. “Our customers have been clear – they expect reliable service and affordable fares, and this approach directly addresses both,” says Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO of BC Ferries. “By adopting a phased strategy, we can responsibly increase capacity and resilience while carefully managing our investments to minimize fare pressures for …

NextRide Real-Time Bus Location Technology Now Available

GANGES – BC Transit has launched NextRide, its Automatic Vehicle Location technology, in the Salt Spring Island Regional Transit System. Transit riders can now use smart mobile devices and desktop services to see the real-time location of their bus along its route and the predicted arrival times at identified stops. Onboard, automated announcements call out stop names to customers, which increases comfort and convenience, while also improving the overall accessibility for many using transit. NextRide uses Automatic Vehicle Location technology to report real-time data. This bus location information is provided to mobility providers like Transit App, so customers can track and monitor bus routes using an application that works best for them. It is recommended that customers use NextRide in one of the following ways: Transit App (mobile only); Google Maps (desktop and mobile); BC Transit Website; Their own favorite trip planning app; or Refer to the rider’s guide. …

Upgrades Coming to Salt Spring Island Roads, Making Travel Easier

People who live on and visit Salt Spring Island can expect smoother, safer travel as significant improvements are coming to a major segment of the island’s highway system. Improvements to Fulford-Ganges Road starting this summer will improve sight lines and access for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. New paving infrastructure will extend the life of the roadway, while new markings, crosswalks, speed-reader boards and refuge areas will enhance safety. The work includes pulverizing and rebuilding the road base entirely, resurfacing and grading to introduce new, paved shoulders on both sides of Fulford-Ganges Road, and adding additional enhancements for safety and active transportation, such as signage, paint markings, crosswalks and refuge areas for cyclists. The project will also include a new underground storm-sewer drainage system for the length of the project to support long-term environmental viability, as well as a staging area to install a large culvert at Cran…

Notice: Cycle of Life Tour is coming to Salt Spring Island - July 20-21

The annual Cycle of Life Tour, is happening on July 20-21 and will see 95 riders cycling from Victoria, through the Cowichan Valley, over to Salt Spring Island and back to Victoria. On Saturday, July 20, the cyclists will be on the 2:20 p.m. ferry from Crofton – Vesuvius Bay and will be riding two different routes to their overnight venue on Rainbow Rd., arriving by 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, July 21, cyclists will leave the venue on Rainbow Rd. at 8:00 a.m. and will ride to the Fulford ferry terminal where they will catch the 11:10 a.m. ferry to Swartz Bay. There will also be a few support vehicles on the road with the riders on both days. This fundraising event supports Vancouver Island hospices and Salt Spring Island Hospice. Riders are from up and down the island and are currently at a fundraising total of more than $230,000 in support of compassionate end-of-life care. We are grateful for the continued support of residents and businesses on Salt Spring Island and we thank…

Harbour Air Connects Salt Spring Island and Victoria with Launch of New Flight Route

Harbour Air, North America’s leading seaplane airline, has launched a new flight route between Salt Spring Island and Victoria, available from June 1st until September 30th, 2024. Harbour Air’s new Salt Spring Island-Victoria / Victoria-Salt Spring Island route will help connect both regions by providing people with fast and convenient 20-minute flights, and low fares starting from just $91 one way. This new route is in addition to other Harbour Air flights between Salt Spring Island and Vancouver or Richmond (YVR South), which gives island residents and visitors even more travel options throughout the summer season. Travelers booking this route will enjoy stunning panoramic views as they depart from Victoria or Salt Spring Island (Ganges Harbour), soar above the Gulf Islands, and arrive at their destination after a brief 20-minute flight. With multiple scheduled flights per day from Monday and Wednesday to Sunday, the route offers a quick and easy way for people in Sal…

Summer Service Change for Salt Spring Island Transit

BC Transit and the Capital Regional District are informing transit users of an upcoming change to the Salt Spring Island Transit System effective June 26, 2024. Changes are being made to routes that will better align with the BC Ferries’ schedule. In addition, Route 9 service to Ruckle Park will be reintroduced for the summer season. You can find all the trip time changes in the most recent Rider’s Guide. For more information on trip planning, fares or to sign up for customer alerts, please visit bctransit.com/salt-spring-island

ASK Salt Spring Welcomes Owen Page, our MoTi Area Manager

April 19 Fifteen joined us for all or part of our time together at this ASK Salt Spring gathering that welcomed our Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) Area Manager Owen Page. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, we asked Owen what excites and delights him. Personally, he was looking forward to watching a great basketball playoff while enjoying a beer that evening. Professionally, he loves spending time in the communities for which he is responsible, always listening, learning, and seeking the best use of the resources he has been allocated. Later ,when asked if the number of Salt Spring emails were a bit overwhelming, he responded a resounding No. He appreciates hearing our suggestions. He is able to address some. Others he routes to the correct managers, keeping track and advocating for them, as appropriate. When asked to detail his area of responsibility, we learned that, although the Gulf Islands are split between three Area Managers, leaving Owen …

BC Ferries’ People Receive Substantial Wage Increase

VICTORIA – BC Ferries’ unionized team members are set to receive a one-year 7.75 per cent general wage increase, with many jobs receiving extra “special increases” including some licensed mariners receiving up to an additional 10.0 per cent, better reflecting the significant daily contributions they make and more closely aligning their pay with compensation standards across the industry. Today’s settlement is retroactive to October 1, 2023. “We know wages haven’t kept up for our people and that more was needed for us to get back to being an employer of choice. I’m grateful to our people for the patience they demonstrated over the last few months,” said Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO of BC Ferries. “Getting to this point has been a long time coming. The offer we put on the table six months ago was a very good one then, and it’s still a very good one today – even more so when you consider it’s a one-year increase. In fact, it's one of the largest increases in the compan…

BC Ferries: Discount Fares Available

MORE DISCOUNT FARES AVAILABLE VICTORIA – Customers can expect to have more opportunity – and more choice – in booking discounted fares to travel with BC Ferries from April 1 onwards. More than double the amount of people travelling between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island will now benefit from discounts by booking Saver fares. In addition, cancellation fees are being reduced for Prepaid and Saver fares to give passengers more flexibility should their plans change. New savings will be offered to customers or families who carpool and book in advance, or who take alternative modes of transportation, helping make it less busy at the terminals. Specifically, savings will increase for those who book a Saver fare and are travelling together in the same vehicle. Also, a new Foot Passenger Saver Fare of $15 is being introduced for select sailings, when booked and paid for in advance. “By offering more discounts for those who book and pay in advance, we expect less conges…

Low-interest community loans available for new or used fully electric vehicles

Are you aware that as a Salt Spring Island resident, you can borrow up to $7,000 with a very friendly low interest 3.5% loan, towards the purchase of a new or used fully electric vehicle (not a hybrid). Yes, and you may be eligible. I am very excited to announce that the very first loan has been granted. In this case, the loan has been funded by a partnership of the TSS - Electric Vehicle Group and our local Transition Salt Spring Enterprise Cooperative (TSSEC). Future loans will be available from TSSEC’s Climate Action pool. TSSEC is a cooperative with about 100 members who loan funds to go to individuals, community projects and businesses for climate action initiatives. In the past 12 years just under a quarter of a million dollars has been loaned to 37 projects and people! TSSEC acts as a “broker” between lenders and borrowers, and it offers low interest rates and a simple application process for its Climate Action Loan program. Larger loans are available as well for…

ASK Salt Spring on all things local emergency management with Corey Anderson, Jolette Schenk and John Wakefield

While only 10 joined this ASK Salt Spring conversation about our preparedness for emergencies, we learned so much! Led by John Wakefield, Emergency Management Lead, Salt Spring Island, he was joined by Jolette Schenk, CRD Electoral Area Emergency Services Coordinator and Corey Anderson, Manager, Emergency Programs, both of whom had come from Victoria to join us. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, John spoke briefly about accelerating challenges from climate-related weather emergencies. While things may seem to be much the same, it is John’s observation that on Salt Spring, much like the rest of the world, record heat domes, drought, and storms are ramping up awareness and concern. We learned that virtually all of Ganges - as far inland as the Library - are in a tsunami hazard zone. After recognizing our vulnerability as an island, John reminded us that there are simple, concrete things we can do to prepare. These include: Sign up for Alertable, free and available…

Beta testing electric vehicle “Full Self Driving” mode on Salt Spring Island

I really enjoyed Shilo Zylbergold’s humorous take on self-driving cars in his Nobody Asked Me But column in the Sept. 27 Driftwood. Most of you readers may not be aware of the fact that self-driving cars have been operating on the streets of Salt Spring Island for over 2 years. Tesla has been on the forefront of this technology. The current software is a beta version, which is not ready for prime time, just for select cool beta-testers. When you purchase your car on the Web site (that’s how Tesla does stuff), the self driving software is an optional add-on. However, to be able to use it, you have to apply and commit to some safe driving rules. The first is that you must have your hands on the steering wheel at all times in case something goes awry. You also have to agree to some legalese. You have to manually turn the FSD (for “Full Self Driving”) software on and optionally enter a destination. At all times when the FSD software is active, your driving habits are monit…

ASK Salt Spring with Cycling Salt Spring discussing active transportation, cycling safety and more

Only seven came to welcome Island Pathways’ President, Bob MacKie, board member Margaretha Nordine, and Treasurer Luke Campbell of its Cycling Salt Spring committee. While the numbers were small, the conversation was rich, and all had the opportunity to participate. Our Territorial Acknowledgment morphed into a brief exploration of some of the events in our colonial history that set the stage for our need to reconcile injustices. Soon, though, we launched into our topic at hand: the many exciting projects of Island Pathways: Celebrating its 35th year, Island Pathways has been the driving force behind safer walking and cycling on Salt Spring since 1988. Partners Creating Pathways (PCP), an Islands Pathways committee, created our pathway network around Ganges. By 2017, PCP had completed its commitment to create the 10-section Ganges Village Pathway Network. This over five kilometer network of pathways cost local taxpayers only $250,000, a fraction of the cost paid by other com…

ASK Salt Spring with MOTI Area Manager Owen Page and Emcon Roads maintenance Operations Manager, Andrew Gaetz

Twenty joined this ASK Salt Spring gathering to welcome Owen Page, our Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MoTI) Area Manager, and Andrew Gaetz, Emcon (our roads maintenance contractor) Operations Manager. After our Territorial Acknowledgement, both Andrew and Owen told us that they were thrilled to be with us and, according to Owen, this was the very best part of his job. Andrew’s span of responsibility is the entire south Vancouver Island from Chemainus south and including all the Gulf Islands. Owen’s scope of responsibility is the CRD on Vancouver Island as well as Salt Spring, Saturna, and Piers Islands. Each with different sets of responsibilities, we are lucky that they speak to one another on a regular basis, coordinating projects as well as emergency responses. Despite the many communities they both serve, they expend a great deal of energy on Salt Spring, a credit to them as well as our involvement and advocacy efforts. Concerning our soon-to-be-posted…

Salt Spring Island Active Transportation Network Plan focuses on five big moves

The Salt Spring Island Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP) has a strong focus on making Ganges Village a walkable community that is easily accessible by cycling and connected by active transportation. The ATNP focuses on prioritizing low-cost, quick-build, and actionable solutions recognizing limited resources on the island. The ATNP directs the Capital Regional District (CRD) and its partners, including the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, to focus on implementing five big moves first. The five big moves for Ganges Village are highlighted in Section 8.1: 30 km/h posted speed limit McPhillips Avenue improvements Increasing off-street parking options Land ownership survey of Ganges village Fulford-Ganges improvements “Embracing more active transportation in Ganges Village is not only a shift in how we move; it's a commitment to fostering a sense of belonging and community,” said Gary Holman, Salt Spring Island Local Community Commission…

Salt Spring Island Cycling Safety Review Freedom of Information support needed

In the last few years, the B.C. government has added “bulk contracts”, as I call them, to its way of procuring contractors. The specifics of work given via these sweetheart deals aren’t listed on Bid BC or in Civic Info BC, as is required of all other procurements awarded for goods & services over $10,000. To find out, in this instance, how much the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure’s 2023 May “Salt Spring Island Cycing Safety Review” cost to produce, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request is required. I filed one this past January, asking also for the Terms of Reference for the contract and all relevant correspondence -- likely just a few e-mails -- to get a bit more about instructions, limitations, etc. This report was promised last September, but wasn’t completed until 2023 March. MoTI then planned to publish it this coming November, hence I did another FOI request to see it asap, since it was done, just not available. MoTI posted it online in early May, aft…

Opinion: Testing the Waters

In response to the Driftwood’s July 12, 2023 “Testing the Waters” editorial, Clean and Safe Harbours Initiative (CASHI) members would like to make the following comments. CASHI members think it’s terrific, as does the Driftwood, that the June 21, 2023 Island Health/CRD fecal matter water test results show that at Centennial Park bulkhead and Churchill Beach enterococci levels are “safe for swimming.” This does not mean that there is no fecal matter in the water, as the Driftwood points out, but that it is not “unsafe” for swimming. A regular water quality monitoring program for Ganges Harbour is long overdue, of course, given that our harbour is permanently closed for shellfish harvesting because of the risk of sanitary contamination. As the Driftwood points out, no doubt human waste and garbage are being dumped into our harbours and that this pollution comes from both liveaboards and transient vessels. The Driftwood also notes there are derelict boats in our harbours at …