FAQs
Bookings and Schedules
- Starting October 15, all customers travelling by vehicle – including motorcycles and commercial vehicles – from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) will need to book in advance. This change supports essential, multi-year construction at the Horseshoe Bay terminal, where vehicle staging space will be reduced by 25%. This is only required for travel in this direction.
- Motorcycles will also be required to pre-book travel. Bookings for motorcycles will be available as of September 3 from HSB-DEP only.
- This change is necessary to prevent highway congestion and protect access for those who need to travel. Vehicle holding space at the terminal will be reduced by 25% during construction. A portion of deck space will continue to be reserved for emergency vehicles and Medical Assured Loading passengers.
- We used a range of engagement tools, including surveys with more than 3,000 responses - to hear directly from customers about this route. Their input helped shape the transition, with clear calls for better planning tools, clearer communication, and more affordable fare options.
- To support customers, we’re doubling Saver Fare availability on this route from 20% to 40% between October 15 and March 31, with fares for a vehicle and driver starting as low as $49 on select sailings and $89 fares on our most popular sailings. This adjustment gives more people the chance to save and helps encourage early booking during the transition.
- We’re also launching two of the most requested features from customers, with waitlists and sailing space alerts coming this fall. And between October 15 to November 30, we’re waiving change fees on this route to give customers added flexibility as they get used to booking in advance. This is a time-limited measure. Regular change and cancellation policies will resume after this period.
- If your preferred sailing on Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Route 2) is sold out, alternative routes are available, including travel via Route 30 (Tsawwassen–Duke Point) or the new daily 4:30pm Tsawwassen–Departure Bay sailing. This option will be available during busy peak periods such as Christmas and Easter and was introduced this year to give customers more options and increase system-wide capacity. Drive up (At Terminal) fares, Reservation-only fares, and Assured Loading Tickets (ALT) remain available on Route 30 (Tsawwassen to Duke Point) and Route 1 (Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay).
- We know this is a big shift and we’re here to support customers every step of the way. These changes are about keeping people moving safely while we upgrade one of our busiest and most space-constrained terminals.
- The change to advance booking for sailings from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay will be in place during this multi-year construction program, which is estimated to last several years. After the project is complete we will revisit the decision.
- Starting this fall, all customers travelling from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay will need to book in advance, and drive-up fares no longer available.
- The shift to an advance booking model will reduce highway backups, improve on-time performance, and safety, leading to a better travel experience for customers who rely on this route.
- Adjustments to the schedule for Route 3 (Horseshoe Bay to Langdale) will also be necessary to reduce traffic congestion at peak times, particularly in the evening, which will improve reliability and support better on-time departures for the passengers who rely on the Horseshoe Bay to Langdale route.
- These adjustments aim to provide more time between the busiest sailings which will result in the 5:30 pm Horseshoe Bay to Langdale sailing moving to 6:05 pm in the shoulder seasons and 6:10 pm in off peak season.
- For Saltery Bay to Earls Cove (Route 7) and Langdale – Keats – Gambier (Route 13) 7 and 13, adjustments will be made to align with changes to the Route 3 schedule.
- There are no schedule changes planned for Horseshoe Bay to Bowen Island.
What changes are you making to the bookings at Horseshoe Bay?
Is the shift to an advance booking model on this route a temporary or permanent change?
What schedule changes are coming for the Horseshoe Bay to Langdale route?
Essential Infrastructure Improvements
- Over the next several years, Horseshoe Bay terminal will undergo a series of essential infrastructure improvements. This work will include life extending or replacing the three berths, relocating the control tower, addressing aging elevated structures, improving seismic safety and enhancing the terminal’s operational efficiency.
- Relocating the control tower and deconstruction of the elevated structure is expected to get underway in October 2025.
- The work will be completed over the next several years. We are still determining the scope of the project and therefore unable to provide an accurate figure at this time.
- The planning is underway to develop a phasing and sequencing strategy to package work in a way that minimizes disruption to operations. The work will take several years to complete, beginning in 2025 and extending out to 2030
- Horseshoe Bay is one of BC Ferries’ oldest and busiest terminals, and like other long-serving infrastructure that has supported communities for decades, many of its components are nearing the ends of their useful operational lives. In addition, work is required on the berths to maintain their functionality and ensure they can accommodate the future integration of the New Major Vessels into our fleet.
- Under our new engagement framework Let’s Connect, BC Ferries is engaging with the community and interested parties about Horseshoe Bay Terminal as part of an ongoing project feedback group.
- Additionally, as we work through these changes toward implementation in October, there will be further opportunities for external and public engagement at terminals and on vessels.
- Direct engagement with interest holders will be undertaken to assess impacts of the changes and identify additional mitigation needs or requirements.
- The Horseshoe Bay terminal will remain operational throughout this program, and minimizing disruptions is essential for customers and crews.
- Traffic staging lanes will be reassigned; we remind customers to check your ticket carefully.
- Foot passenger access to the lower-level Bowen Island waiting room will not be available (washrooms may be accessed via the stairwells/elevator to Waiting room A and B.
- It is crucial to limit operational impacts during the execution phase.
- We are in the early stages of developing a plan for the work and we’ll share more information when the plan is finalized.
- We will provide as much notice as possible in advance of any anticipated changes or disruptions.
- Safety is our primary focus, including for those with accessibility needs. We will ensure the terminal is accessible for all passengers while the work is underway.
- We’re still in the early stages of planning the program and will know more in the coming months. We do anticipate there will be some nighttime construction activity in an effort to keep the terminal operating at capacity.
What infrastructure improvements are happening at Horseshoe Bay terminal?
What will be the total cost of the Horseshoe Bay infrastructure improvements?
What’s the timeline to complete the infrastructure improvements?
Why are the infrastructure improvements necessary?
Have you consulted the community about this change?
How will passengers be impacted by construction?
How will passengers with accessibility challenges be impacted?
Will there be construction activity at night?
Control Tower and Elevated Structure Improvements
- The elevated structures are the concrete structures that provide vehicle access and holding/parking areas to the upper decks of the ferries. Below the elevated holding area, vehicles are staged for Bowen Island and a smaller number of vehicles for Nanaimo.
- The elevated structures were built to the safety and seismic standards of the time they were constructed. As happens with all major infrastructure components like bridges and tunnels from this era, they are nearing the end of their operational lives and it is time to develop a plan to replace them. All new elevated structures will be built to current safety and seismic standards and will help facilitate smoother operating processes.
- Safety is our primary focus. That’s why it’s essential for us to undertake this work to align our elevated structures with current safety and seismic standards. As happens with all major infrastructure components like bridges and tunnels from this era, they are nearing the end of their operational lives and it is time to develop a plan to replace them.
- The work will be completed over the next several years. We are still determining the scope of the project and therefore unable to provide an accurate figure at this time.
Can you define what the elevated structures are?
Are the elevated structures safe?
Would the elevated structures withstand an earthquake?
How long will it take to replace the elevated structures and what will it cost?