Pender Island Community Page

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Welcome to Pender Island's Community Page!

This page is a space for community members and those that travel on the route to receive updates and information about ferry service on their route, and to offer suggestions, comments and questions to the BC Ferries team.

The input you provide will help us determine the topics that are of most interest to your community so we can bring answers, information, and themes for dialogue when we're in your community next.

This page will also be a resource hub for community event information, route-specific updates, reports and community stories.

Check back or subscribe using the link on the right to be informed of new items added to the page!

Welcome to Pender Island's Community Page!

This page is a space for community members and those that travel on the route to receive updates and information about ferry service on their route, and to offer suggestions, comments and questions to the BC Ferries team.

The input you provide will help us determine the topics that are of most interest to your community so we can bring answers, information, and themes for dialogue when we're in your community next.

This page will also be a resource hub for community event information, route-specific updates, reports and community stories.

Check back or subscribe using the link on the right to be informed of new items added to the page!

  • Charting the Course: A Vision for Coastal Ferries

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    Now is the time to shape the vision of the coastal ferry service in BC.

    Transportation, transit and ferry systems around the world are under pressure resulting from the pandemic, population growth, climate change, inflation and other factors. BC’s coastal ferry system is no exception, and BC Ferries is responding with actions to address current operational issues. We are also embarking on a long-term transformative journey to reshape our coastal ferry services in response to the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

    We invite you to participate in Charting the Course, an initiative that aims to define what is needed to keep people, goods, and services in coastal communities connected and moving through to 2050 and beyond.

    Hearing from you is an important part of this initiative to help us build a more sustainable and resilient ferry system. The first phase of engagement is open until November 28. Learn more and participate here: https://www.bcferriesprojects.ca/bc-ferries-charting-the-course

  • Pender & Mayne Island In-Person Events Postponed

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  • FAC Meeting October 5 Moved to Virtual

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  • National Indigenous Peoples Day

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    Today marks National Indigenous Peoples Day, a day we celebrate and recognize the diverse cultures, traditions and immeasurable contributions of First Nations, Inuit, & Métis across Canada. Indigenous Peoples are the traditional stewards of the rivers, lakes, land & sea where we are privileged to live and work.

    #NIPD2023 serves as an opportunity to learn and deepen our understanding of the Indigenous cultures throughout Canada.


    • Learn more about Indigenous Peoples land, languages, history and culture: https://maps.fpcc.ca/
    • The First Peoples’ map highlights BC's Indigenous language regions, artists & artworks, place names & landmarks: https://native-land.ca/
    • Native Land is an app that allows users to map Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages: https://ow.ly/1pUt50OPX10
    • Use the @BCGovNews map to find events happening in your community celebrating National Indigenous History Month: https://ow.ly/fif850OPX4l
    • Learn more about the history, cultures, and experiences of Indigenous Peoples in Canada: https://ow.ly/mJ4250OPX91


    Learn about National Indigenous People’s Day and how you can participate in celebrating their culture and heritage.

    #BCFerries remains committed to fostering meaningful relationships with the Indigenous communities we serve. We recognize the importance of collaboration and partnership as we work toward a future of mutual respect, reconciliation and inclusivity.

  • Revised Schedule - Village Bay to Otter Bay

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    To improve efficiency and on time performance for customers travelling from Village Bay (Mayne Island) to Otter Bay (Pender Island), starting Thursday, April 27, the vessel will travel on the following schedule:


    April 27 – May 4, 2023:

    Departing

    Original
    Departure

    New
    Departure

    Arrival
    Otter Bay

    Village Bay

    11:15 am

    11:35 am

    12:00 pm


    May 5 – October 9, 2023:

    Departing

    Original
    Departure

    New
    Departure

    Arrival
    Otter Bay

    Village Bay

    11:40 am

    12:05 pm

    12:35 pm


    October 10 – March 31, 2024:

    Departing

    Original
    Departure

    New
    Departure

    Arrival
    Otter Bay

    Village Bay

    11:15 am

    11:35 am

    12:00 pm

    This allows Otter Bay-bound customers transferring from Lyall Harbour, a more consistent service on the revised departure times from Village Bay.

    Customers with reservations on the Southern Gulf Islands – Tsawwassen (Vancouver) routes will be unaffected. The revised schedules can be found here.

    For more information or traffic updates, please follow @BCFerries on Twitter or visit us at bcferries.com.

  • Update: Queen of Cumberland

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    The Queen of Cumberland returned to serve the Swartz Bay to Southern Gulf Islands routes April 4, 2023.

    While emergency maintenance was completed on the vessel during its service as a replacement vessel for the Malaspina Sky, ongoing mechanical issues with the right angle drive may cause sailing delays. We had hoped to have the issue solved earlier however the part required is on back-order. Repairs are now planned for the week of April 10.

    Why can the Salish Heron not remain on the route, while the Queen of Cumberland is repaired?

    The Salish Heron is required on Route 9a (Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands) to provide service over the Easter long weekend.

    Why was the Queen of Cumberland not repaired prior to coming back to Route 5?

    While our teams had hoped to have the repairs completed prior to returning the Cumberland to service for the Southern Gulf Islands, the part was not available until after the in-service date.

    When will the Queen of Cumberland be fixed?

    Repairs are currently planned to take place the week of April 10. To avoid disruption in service, the work will be conducted in the evening after the last sailing. Once the dates have been confirmed for the repairs, we will update the community.

    We will continue to update the community via Service Notices should a significant delay occur on any of these routes. These can be viewed on our website, or you can receive notifications on your mobile device or tablet, by downloading the BC Ferries app.

    We truly appreciate the community’s patience and apologize for any inconvenience experienced as a result of the possible sailing delays.

  • BC Ferries App Available Now!

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    The new BC Ferries app is now available for download to your mobile device in the App Store and Google Play Store. Designed with convenience and personalization in mind, the app makes it easier than ever to check schedules and current conditions, book sailings and manage your trips.

    New features and enhancements include:

    • Travel Preferences: Allows customers to save travel details for quick access to schedules and current conditions and make faster bookings on frequently travelled routes.
    • Current Conditions: Route sailing status and estimated deck space will be easier to view with the updated app layout.
    • Making and Managing Bookings: New designs and personalized travel preferences will enable easier bookings. Customers can quickly jump to the next available sailing with the new Express book feature, and manage existing bookings on-the-go.
    • Schedules: Enhanced features on daily and seasonal schedules and the introduction of travel preferences will make it easier to trip plan.
    • Alerts: Gives customers the option to receive timely push- notifications for service notices and upcoming sailing reminders on their device.
    • Seamless check-in: Customers can find their upcoming trips on their app dashboard to access the booking barcode for seamless check-in at the terminal.

    This is BC Ferries first release and the company already has plans for new features and functionality. The app will also continue to evolve based on feedback from customers and evolving digital trends.

    More information about the mobile app, including how to and helpful tips, is available online at https://www.bcferries.com/app

  • Update on Performance Term 6: Revised 4-Year Plan to Commissioner

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    Since filing in September 2022, an elevated risk of recession, coupled with higher inflation and cost pressures across BC Ferries operations, has forced a recalculation of estimates and plans contained in the company’s Performance Term Six Submission to the independent BC Ferries Commissioner.

    Revisions to the plan are in three key areas:

    • Traffic Outlook – BC Ferries’ traffic outlook has been updated to reflect the growing certainty of a mild recession occurring during Fiscal 2024;
    • Capital Program and Maintenance – continued inflation and higher maintenance costs associated with maintaining an ageing fleet have been factored into an updated schedule and 12-year capital plan.
    • Labour and Talent Development – a more comprehensive view of actions necessary to secure required crew levels in response to the growing gap of both exempt and bargaining unit wages relative to the marketplace.

    The revised plan also acknowledges the recent commitment of $500 million in new funding from the Province to support the lowering of fare increases for people who rely upon the coastal ferry service. While funding terms are not finalized, the Commissioner will determine the impact on BCF’s revised four-year plan, and will make a final determination on the Performance Term Six price caps by September 30, 2023. The plan is now posted on the Commissioner’s website bcferrycommission.ca for public feedback.

    Click here to view the full media release.

  • Lands End Café Enhancements

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    Exciting updates are coming for the Lands End Café at the Swartz Bay Terminal!

    Starting early February 2023 until end of May 2023, the café will undergo updates to the existing equipment and be replaced with a new coffee bar with self serve kiosks.

    During the closure, a pop-up café will operate inside the existing building on the same schedule; seven days a week from 6:00 AM to 8:45 PM. The pop-up café will offer the following:

    • Coffee
    • Tea
    • Hot Chocolate
    • Sandwiches
    • Salads
    • Snacks

    Washrooms will remain open to the public, and indoor seating will be available. The ATM machines inside will be removed, however customers will continue to have access to the outdoor ATM on the west side of the building. Construction will not interfere with the Vendor Marketplace which is expected to open May long weekend and run throughout the summer.

  • More ships - More service: Planning for the future with Performance Term 6 (2024 - 2028)

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    What is a Performance Term?

    A performance term is a review of BC Ferries services and fees by the BC Ferries Commissioner. Performance Term reviews happen every four years, and the current term (Performance Term 5) will end on March 31, 2024.

    BC Ferries has just submitted its proposal for Performance Term 6. This submission sets out our proposed service plans, including capacity increases, replacing aging vessels and infrastructure, and addressing service challenges over the next four years (April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2028). The submission also outlines our financial information and what we believe will be required in order to provide the proposed service changes. This information assists the Commissioner in setting a price cap, the maximum allowable increase to fares for the next performance term.

    You’re invited to provide input on the Performance Term

    Community members are encouraged to provide their thoughts and feedback on our Performance Term 6 submission while it is under review by the Commissioner, in particular the service plan proposals. You can do that now by reading the submission and providing your feedback at: bcferrycommission.ca

    What’s in Performance Term 6 (April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2028)

    Modernization and replacement of vessels, terminals and IT systems are the centrepiece of BC Ferries’ Performance Term 6 submission, including:

    • Long Term Traffic Demand Outlook (fiscal years 2023 through 2034)

    • Capacity Review and Service Enhancement Strategies

    • Workforce planning strategies

    • Emission reduction strategies

    • Strategies for evolving with travel behaviour changes

    • Strategies for improving efficiency

    • Capital plans (2023 – 2034)

    Next Steps

    The BC Ferry Commissioner will announce a preliminary price cap on March 31, 2023 and will finalize it on September 30, 2023. Once the review process is complete, BC Ferries will proceed with more detailed design and planning for the actions contained in the approved proposal. We will engage with the communities we serve on putting these plans into action. Stay tuned to this page for more information.

Page last updated: 23 Nov 2023, 05:11 PM