BC Ferries announced today the current 1.5 per cent fuel surcharge will be removed as of December 17, 2019. BC Ferries closely monitors the price of fuel and applies a rebate or surcharge, or neither, under a regulatory process that is independent of fares. Over the past 15 years, BC Ferries has been using a fuel rebate/surcharge mechanism to manage the volatility in the price of fuel. When fuel prices are lower, lower fuel prices are passed on to customers through a fuel rebate. When fuel prices are higher, a fuel surcharge is implemented specifically to cover the additional cost of fuel. There have also been periods with neither. The company does not benefit financially from surcharges or rebates. “The recent decrease in the price of fuel allows us to eliminate the fuel surcharges, which is great news for travellers,” said Alana Gallagher, BC Ferries’ Vice President and CFO. “We understand that affordability is important to our customers and every bit helps.” …

Pioneers in powering the electric flight movement, Harbour Air with service to and from Salt Spring Island, and magniX unveiled the world’s first Beaver seaplane retrofitted with a 750 horsepower all-electric magni500 propulsion system this morning in Richmond, BC. The first test flight was captured by enthusiastic supports and media gathered to watch the world’s first Beaver seaplane retrofitted with an electric engine. https://youtu.be/IOWDhYh8t64 https://youtu.be/vf84Wxnbquc https://youtu.be/Cw4ICCyhu_s https://youtu.be/asnpM4UNBR8

Join us in making history. World’s first fully-electric commercial aircraft: We are thrilled to announce, following the successful installation and testing of the magniX propulsion system, our incredible maintenance team along with our partners have reached the next level of critical milestones. Harbour Air and magniX will unveil the world’s first Beaver seaplane retrofitted with a 750 horsepower all-electric magni500 propulsion system for the inaugural test flight on Wednesday, December 11*. The prototype will take flight from our Richmond (YVR South) location. Please see below for a highlight of the work and efforts completed to date as well as next steps to take us to this pivotal moment in aviation history. https://youtu.be/npHDNXOt7PE

Vesuvius Bay terminal is located on the northwest coast of Salt Spring Island. This terminal provides service to Crofton on Vancouver Island, via a 25 minute ferry crossing on the Quinitsa. The Quinitsa has a vehicle capacity of 44 AEQ* (automobile equivalent) and can carry 300 passengers and crew; it is equipped with accessible car deck lounges and accessible washrooms and provides daily service year round. By 2022, the Quinsam will replace the Quinitsa, providing 63 AEQ* and carrying 400 passengers and crew. This terminal is an important link between Salt Spring Island and Vancouver Island for residents and visitors alike. After hearing customers' concerns on this route with overloads that affected their travel experience, BC Ferries met with Salt Spring community members in August to explore solutions for improvement. In September, we announced that as a result, we will deploy the Bowen Queen (61 Automobile Equivalent – AEQ) on the route during peak seasons until the MV Q…

Ships are designed to be fully electric when electric charging technology matures - BC Ferries continues to roll out its Clean Futures Plan and has awarded Damen Shipyards Group of the Netherlands contracts to build four more battery electric-hybrid Island Class vessels scheduled to go into service in 2022. In the spring of 2017, BC Ferries awarded Damen contracts to build two “first in class” of these battery electric-hybrid vessels. These vessels have successfully completed sea trials and will arrive in Victoria, B.C. by January 2020. With the extension of the partnership between BC Ferries and Damen now confirmed, Damen will extend its agreement with Point Hope Shipyards of Victoria, B.C. to provide technical and warranty support for the new vessels with their local staff. “Our Clean Futures Plan spells out our strategy to reduce GHG emissions by replacing our legacy carbon intensive fossil fuelled vessels with ships using clean energy,” said Captain Jamie Marshall, BC…

We are thrilled to share the completion of significant project milestones in the conversion of the world’s first seaplane to ePlane! Our incredible maintenance team along with our partners at magniX have created dedicated space in our aircraft hangar and have been working diligently to make this a success since announcing our partnership this past spring. With the delivery and successful installation of the magniX motor, we are working hard to connect the internal systems in preparation for its first flight. With incredible work being completed each day and a number of integral components being delivered over the next few weeks, we are in the midst of some of the most exciting and critical development work. Currently, we are on track for the first test flight to take place before the end of the year. By mid-November, we expect to have a concrete time-frame to test the first fully electric flight. As of October 23, 2019, the following work has been completed: Air…

Please be advised that BC Ferries will be conducting necessary testing of fire suppression systems on the Salish Orca during overnight hours after the scheduled sailing have completed on both Wednesday, October 16 and Thursday, October 17. The work may require sounding of ship alarms at various intervals, and all measures will be taken to minimize the volume and frequency of these alarms. BC Ferries would like to thank its customers and neighbours for their patience and understanding as we complete this necessary systems testing. For traffic updates or more information please call us toll free at 1-888-BCFERRY (223-3779) or check our website at www.bcferries.com

BC Transit and eight local government partners across the province will be offering free transit on federal election day, Monday, October 21, 2019. The free transit will help make it easier for residents to get to the polls and cast their ballots. Take advantage of free transit in the following communities: Cowichan Valley – including handyDART but does not apply to commuter routes (44 Victoria/Duncan, 66 Duncan Commuter, and 99 Shawnigan Lake Commuter) Comox Valley – including handyDART Fort St. John – including handyDART for customers heading to vote Kamloops – scheduled routes only Kimberley – available on route 24 Kimberley Local only (on-request service) between 8:00am and 4:00pm. Please call the day prior to book Kitimat – including handyDART City of Nelson – on routes 1 Uphill, 2 Fairview, 3 Rosemont and 4 Nelson Airport only Port Alberni – including handyDART Prince George – available all day on all routes Quesnel – available all day o…

Bowen Queen to be used during peak seasons - After hearing Vesuvius-Crofton customer concerns with overloads that affected their travel experience, BC Ferries met with Salt Spring community members in August to explore solutions for improvement. Customers identified a number of common concerns, including insufficient vessel capacity, lack of customer amenities at terminals, inadequate customer information and commercial/dangerous good vehicles congesting peak time sailings. During the workshop, BC Ferries representatives and community members arrived at possible solutions and priorities for the ideas that would be most realistic to implement, while offering the greatest benefit. As a result, BC Ferries will deploy the Bowen Queen (61 Automobile Equivalent – AEQ) on the route during peak seasons until the MV Quinsam (63 AEQ) is brought into service in a few years time. In 2020, the Bowen Queen will service the route between April and October. BC Ferries…

Please be advised that BC Ferries will be doing maintenance work on the Crofton and Vesuvius trestles. This work will take place from September 23 to November 1, 2019. There will be no impact to operations. Work will include replacement of piles, guardrails, deck boards and other minor items. A barge will be used to facilitate this work. Equipment being used may increase the normal sound levels within the terminal Monday to Saturday between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm. All efforts will be made to minimize noise. BC Ferries would like to thank customers and neighbours for their understanding as we complete the necessary work. For more information or traffic updates please follow @BCFerries on Twitter, visit our website at bcferries.com, or call us toll-free at 1-888-BCFERRY (223-3779).

Effective July 22 to August 30, 2019 - Please be advised that Walker’s Hook Road will be closed for repairs between Fort Street and Hedger Road beginning July 22 until August 30, 2019. This closure will be in effect 24 hours a day during these dates. During this time period please note that routes 5 Fernwood and 6 SS Connector, that travel along Walker’s Hook Road, will be operating with a detour. For specific information about the 5 Fernwood detour schedule and routing, click here. For specific information about the 6 SS Connector detour schedule and routing, click here. To review the updated Rider’s Guide for valid transit information during this time period, click here.

The Crofton terminal is located within the Municipality of North Cowichan on Vancouver Island. The terminal connects the community to Vesuvius Bay on Salt Spring Island. Passengers travel on the Howe Sound Queen for a 25 minute sailing. The Howe Sound Queen has a vehicle capacity of 52 AEQ* and can carry 300 passengers and crew. It is equipped with a car deck lounge, vending machine and washrooms and provides daily service year round. In May 2019, upon retirement of the Howe Sound Queen, the route will be serviced for approximately three years by the Quinitsa which has a vehicle capacity of 44 AEQ* and can carry 300 passengers and crew. By 2022, the Quinsam will provide ferry service between Crofton and Vesuvius Bay. This terminal is an important link between Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island for residents and visitors alike. Switching to the Quinitsa As of April 1, BC Ferries added sailings and adjusted some sailing times to the Vesuvius-Crofton route. The remainde…

Country Grocer will be starting a FREE Saturday shuttle this weekend May 25th. The free shuttle will run from 9:30am – 3:30pm between Centennial Park, Rainbow Road Pool and Country Grocer. Sandwich boards will be placed at pick up locations with the pick up at Centennial Park being located in the “no parking on Saturdays” area in front of the crosswalk on Fulford Ganges. Park and ride will be available at the back of the Aquatic Centre parking lot located at 262 Rainbow Road with a goal to ease congestion in the downtown core. We will be doing a “soft launch” this weekend with more promo coming out next week to promote use. Thank you to our valued community partner who has made this possible ~ Dan Ovington, Manager Parks and Recreation.

BC Ferries is advising customers that due to current fuel market conditions, the company will implement a fuel surcharge of 1.5 per cent on June 1. BC Ferries closely monitors the cost of fuel and applies a rebate or surcharge, or neither, under a regulatory process that is independent of fares. Here is an example of what a 1.5 per cent fuel surcharge will be: 25 cents for an adult and 85 cents for a vehicle on the Metro Vancouver – Vancouver Island routes, and 15 cents for an adult and 45 cents for a vehicle on a variety of inter-island routes. Over the past 15 years, BC Ferries has been using a fuel rebate/surcharge mechanism to manage the volatility in the price of fuel. When fuel prices are lower, BC Ferries passes lower fuel prices on to customers through a fuel rebate. When fuel prices are higher, BC Ferries charges a fuel surcharge specifically designed to cover the additional cost of fuel. There have also been periods with neither. The company does not ben…

Own of a piece of Salt Spring history! Buy the current Crofton - Vesuvius Ferry, the Howe Sound Queen! Currently in operation until 1st week in June, 2019 where it will be removed from service and kept warm and in operational state until ownership change. Reason for being auctioned, scheduled for replacement. The Howe Sound Queen was built in 1964 in Marine Industries Ltd., Quebec. The asset is being sold as listed. You are invited to place a bid with the information provided, if the information provided does not meet your satisfaction, we suggest you do not bid. The onus will be on the winning bidder to prepare all documentation for export with no assistance from the seller. The asset(s) sold under this contract is/are being sold ‘as is’ and is not represented as being mechanically sound or maintained at any guaranteed level of quality. The asset may not be fit for use and may require substantial repairs at the buyer’s expense. Make a bid at govdeals.ca …

I often get asked about EV Chargers. The EV Group has worked diligently to encourage merchants around Salt Spring to install Level 2 Chargers that are mostly free to use (some have donation boxes - please use them). The charging stations are primarily for tourists, but are also intended for our use. I’ll take this opportunity to thank the business owners again for their generous support. However, is this where you would charge your new EV? Not exclusively, that would be totally uncool. So what options do you have? The first thing to say is that charging is easy. Just like you plug in your lap-top or phone when you get home, you will mostly charge your EV the same way, at home. Come out in the morning to a full charge. A lot of people are bothered because it can take hours to charge a big battery, but the truth is that you are mostly asleep and the total ‘charging time’ is the time it takes you to plug in and unplug your car. Less than 60 seconds. How long will it take to …