As another summer draws to a close, we find ourselves once again reflecting on a season of ferry cancellations, long waits, crew shortages, and mechanical breakdowns.
Travellers between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen are now left waiting for BC Ferries to repair the Queen of New Westminster which recently lost its propeller. I can’t help but suspect that the corporation was aware of the propeller’s deteriorating condition long before this incident. It’s hard to believe that such a key component of the propulsion system would fail without any prior warning signs such as vibrations or unusual noises. Yet, it seems the priority was to push through the peak travel season, postponing safety and operational concerns until a more convenient time.
With the provincial election on the horizon, it’s time that the provincial government address the chronic issues plaguing BC Ferries. These problems have not only frustrated the travelling public but also demoralized frontline employees who are in a lot of cases the recipients of the public’s anger and frustration.
The B.C. ferry system is an integral part of our provincial highway system and a public service. It is the responsibility of our government to ensure it is adequately funded, managed, and operated. The time has come for the creation and implementation of a BC Ferries passenger bill of rights.
A bill of rights would provide much-needed accountability and improve the experience for travellers. It would establish clear standards of service and accountability, offering compensation for delays, cancellations, and unmet services while imposing penalties on the company for failing to meet these standards. A bill of rights could establish guidelines for vouchers, refunds, or credits when significant delays or disruptions occur similar to the air passenger bill of rights.
The tracking of complaints filed including reasons and frequency under a bill or rights would encourage the company to better manage scheduling, crew availability, and vessel maintenance, helping to prevent delays and improve overall service reliability. This would also ensure that competent and effective leadership is at the helm of the company.
Historically, September has hourly sailings, however, travellers who arrive for an 11 a.m. sailing on a Friday were left waiting until 3 p.m. due to the Queen of New Westminster’s propeller issues. The time required to get to Tsawwasen from Swartz Bay was greater than what is needed to drive from Vancouver to Kelowna. Passengers deserve compensation for delayed or cancelled sailings and the company should face penalties for its failures.
Until such measures are brought in, the public remains at the mercy of an unreliable ferry system run by a slipshod company without recourse. The public should be able to catch a ferry within a reasonable amount of time after arriving at any terminal – with or without a reservation. Corporate mismanagement and failures to adequately maintain ships and staffing levels should not be an acceptable excuse for passenger delays.
Any politician who champions a BC Ferries passenger bill of rights will earn my vote.
Mike Sharpe, former BC Ferries deckhand
Victoria
