Ferry Committee Response to Bob Excell's Letter

Dear Community,

The Ferry Committee would like to thank Bob Excell for his well researched and provocative letter. At the LCA AGM, the Committee reported to the Community that there was a list of items that were being requested of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and BC Ferries in their new contract negotiations. You will note that many of the issues that were articulated in Mr. Excell's letter are also contained within the Committee's requests. Please be assured that the Ferry Committee has occasional dialogues with BC Ferries and meets quarterly with Western Pacific Marine Ltd to discuss concerns or requests for changes.

The list to date is as follows:

TAPS (Travel Assistance Program--financial support for medical travel)

Handicap travel pricing for rider and escort (if applicable)

Advanced purchase of tickets (preferably for a reduced fee) (we used to be able to buy books)

Group rates (esp for students and possibly families)

Get rid of the unreasonably high 4.15% annual compounded increase and ask for a roll-back for the time that we were subjected to it. No fees should be increased beyond the CPI (consumer price index.)

The same rights and protections against poor service and price gouging as regulated routes/ Option to become a regulated route.

Ensure that up to date first aid equipment is on the ferry at all times, including a defibrillator.

We have asked many times to see on-line booking for tickets etc. (current system is out of the dark ages)

A number of community members with school children are asking for better access to schools in Parksville/Qualicum as it is no longer affordable (or even possible) to pay the cost of a rental in the area.

We have heard from a number of you regarding ferry services on Lasqueti Island moving forward. We would also like to hear from more of you. It is important that we have the interests of the entire Community heard and considered.

Please contact a member of the Ferry Committee with questions or concerns etc. by June 24th, 2019. If a large number of people request a public meeting, we will arrange to have one in the near future.

Thank you in advance for your additional support and input.

Safe travels,

Ferry Committee members:

Sue Kristinsson 250-333-8809 <skristin44 [at] hotmail [dot] com> ,

Tim Peterson 250-607-7094  <timpeterson24 [at] yahoo [dot] com>, 

Marilyn Darwin 250-333-8852 <marilynd4 [at] icloud [dot] com>,

Peter Johnston 250-333-8785 <pjohnston [at] lasqueti [dot] ca>,
 

Shelley Garside 250-333-8585 <shelley [at] garside [dot] ca>,

Ray Lipovsky 250-240-9503 <raylipovsky [at] gmail [dot] com>