Increased ferry service is coming to the Sunshine Coast, but the mayor of Gibsons said more needs to be done.
BC Ferries announced more than 120 additional sailings to help during the “shoulder seasons.” Vice-president of customer experience Melanie Lucia said the company has heard concerns from Sunshine Coast residents and responded.
“People rely on this route (Horseshoe Bay to Langdale) every day to get to work, appointments and to stay connected with family and the community, and we know how frustrating it is when you can’t get on the sailing you need,” she said. “Our focus is on improving certainty on the busiest sailings while making better use of that capacity so more people can travel.”
Gibsons Mayor Silas White said the community supports the additional sailings and will continue working with BC Ferries on long-term solutions.
“These additional sailings are a meaningful step for our community,” he said. “We know there’s more work to do, including how we can better utilize data shared by BC Ferries to encourage more people onto sailings with available space.
“We’ll combine that with continued advocacy for the level of service Sunshine Coast residents need and keep working with BC Ferries to build towards longer-term solutions.”
White said further changes will be needed to ensure solutions are consultative and transparent.
“If these changes don’t result in a more efficient and reliable service, including to get us back and forth to medical appointments and kids’ sporting activities, we’ll be reminding BC Ferries, the Commission and the Ferry Authority and the province how easy it is to dial back on reservations,” he said.
In a media release, BC Ferries said it will continue to monitor travel patterns and customer feedback as the changes are implemented. The feedback will be included in a submission to the ferry commissioner for the 2028 term.
