Island News & Views
General · 10th January 2008
Robyn Budd
In their beneficent wisdom BC Ferries have brought a merciful stop to that widespread affliction known in some island communities as Boat Fever. You know the symptoms – accelerated heartbeat, facial contortions, pulled musculature and, on occasion, the gratuitous application of salt to the wound in the form of a speeding ticket for running that last *!^#* light on the way to the last %*#*^ ferry.
It's true. As of January 7 of this newly fledged year, our self-styled marathons to the ferry as the seconds slide past the bottom of the hour have been rendered devoid of meaning. The carrot has been removed from the end of the stick. In its place, alas, we have only the cheerless admonitions of the ferry corporation that we must mend our ways and pay the piper for those countless years we've added to the ferry schedule by our clock-pushing behaviour – not to mention the years of trauma counselling the corporation must now pour into the retirement packages of crew members who've lived with the unbearable pressure of having to count that sprinting blur of ferry chasers day in, day out – well, you do the math.
It's a sad day indeed for all who once measured our personal best by just how far we could push our luck and have a grand story to tell of the ferry that didn't sail away without us.
Our wrists have been slapped; we have been warned; the ferry crews' watches have been synchronized.
It's true. As of January 7 of this newly fledged year, our self-styled marathons to the ferry as the seconds slide past the bottom of the hour have been rendered devoid of meaning. The carrot has been removed from the end of the stick. In its place, alas, we have only the cheerless admonitions of the ferry corporation that we must mend our ways and pay the piper for those countless years we've added to the ferry schedule by our clock-pushing behaviour – not to mention the years of trauma counselling the corporation must now pour into the retirement packages of crew members who've lived with the unbearable pressure of having to count that sprinting blur of ferry chasers day in, day out – well, you do the math.
It's a sad day indeed for all who once measured our personal best by just how far we could push our luck and have a grand story to tell of the ferry that didn't sail away without us.
Our wrists have been slapped; we have been warned; the ferry crews' watches have been synchronized.
Letter of Protest
Comment by Robert (Bob) Brown on 4th March 2008
As President of the Quadra Island Seniors. I composed the letter of Protest below, addressed to Messer's Hahn, Crilly and Hon Minister Falcon.
This morning at the protest rally (March3rd/08)
I had the pleasure of reading it in front of the media and other Protesters, then handing a copy to Claire Trevena, MLA.Nth lsland
QUADRA ISLAND SENIORS – BRANCH #91
B.C. Old Age Pensioners’ Organization
P.O. Box 134
Quathiaski Cove, B.C. V0P 1N0
Martin Crilly, BC Ferry Commissioner
c/o BC Ferries Head Office
1112 Fort Street
Victoria, BC V8V 4V2 February 28, 2008
Dear Sir:
On behalf of the Quadra Island seniors I wish to Lodge a strong protest against BC Ferries, BC Ferries Commissioner and the Minister Responsible for Ferries
Since the Governments decision to put the control of our Ferries in the hands of BC Ferries and the BC Ferries Commissioner, ferry fares have increased at an alarming rate, with no regard for any financial hardship that this would cause to commuters whether they are in the workforce, retirees or commercial operators.
Combined with fuel surcharges, it is becoming impossible for seniors on a fixed income to travel freely around this great province of ours in their vehicles, like other citizens can, as is our right, are we not equals? The ferries are our Highway not a luxury cruise ship
The government takes great strides to advertise the fact that you can travel free of charge on inland ferries to destinations that in most, if not all, cases can be reached by road yet, even to take advantage of any discount available for residents of the Island, Islanders will have to purchase a coast card for $75, this card can be purchased by anyone from anywhere, basically removing any commuter discounts that Island residents had received
Quadra Island seniors endorse any and all requests to place a moratorium against ferry fare increases and to restore there control to BC highways
Respectfully,
Robert A Brown
(President) Br#91 B.C.OAPO
CC: Hon Minister Falcon
Gary Coons, MLA North Coast
Claire Trevena, MLA North Island,
David Hahn CEO,B.C.F.
Elsie Gerdes, Provincial President B.C. OAPO
As President of the Quadra Island Seniors. I composed the letter of Protest below, addressed to Messer's Hahn, Crilly and Hon Minister Falcon.
This morning at the protest rally (March3rd/08)
I had the pleasure of reading it in front of the media and other Protesters, then handing a copy to Claire Trevena, MLA.Nth lsland
QUADRA ISLAND SENIORS – BRANCH #91
B.C. Old Age Pensioners’ Organization
P.O. Box 134
Quathiaski Cove, B.C. V0P 1N0
Martin Crilly, BC Ferry Commissioner
c/o BC Ferries Head Office
1112 Fort Street
Victoria, BC V8V 4V2 February 28, 2008
Dear Sir:
On behalf of the Quadra Island seniors I wish to Lodge a strong protest against BC Ferries, BC Ferries Commissioner and the Minister Responsible for Ferries
Since the Governments decision to put the control of our Ferries in the hands of BC Ferries and the BC Ferries Commissioner, ferry fares have increased at an alarming rate, with no regard for any financial hardship that this would cause to commuters whether they are in the workforce, retirees or commercial operators.
Combined with fuel surcharges, it is becoming impossible for seniors on a fixed income to travel freely around this great province of ours in their vehicles, like other citizens can, as is our right, are we not equals? The ferries are our Highway not a luxury cruise ship
The government takes great strides to advertise the fact that you can travel free of charge on inland ferries to destinations that in most, if not all, cases can be reached by road yet, even to take advantage of any discount available for residents of the Island, Islanders will have to purchase a coast card for $75, this card can be purchased by anyone from anywhere, basically removing any commuter discounts that Island residents had received
Quadra Island seniors endorse any and all requests to place a moratorium against ferry fare increases and to restore there control to BC highways
Respectfully,
Robert A Brown
(President) Br#91 B.C.OAPO
CC: Hon Minister Falcon
Gary Coons, MLA North Coast
Claire Trevena, MLA North Island,
David Hahn CEO,B.C.F.
Elsie Gerdes, Provincial President B.C. OAPO
more ferry stuff
Comment by auds on 17th January 2008
i say that the pamphlet that's getting waved around says arrive THREE minutes before departure time in a vehicle.
i say that the pamphlet that's getting waved around says arrive THREE minutes before departure time in a vehicle.
the ferry becomes the grinch
Comment by susan on 11th January 2008
love your article Robyn - just the right tongue in cheek.
love your article Robyn - just the right tongue in cheek.
unfair timekeepers
Comment by Deb on 11th January 2008
One would think that 9.25 was well, 9.25 for the whole 60 seconds....but beware, BC Ferries does not! Yesterday evening my partner ran foul of the new time cut-offs, showing up at 9.25 (by the cell phone clock - and they are usually considered accurate). When the truck pulled up to the ticket booth it was still 9.25....not 9.26, or later....so surely WITHIN the required five minutes of the sailing. With the truck mere feet from the booth, and within sight of the crew, the barrier came down...UNFAIR I say...what say you?
One would think that 9.25 was well, 9.25 for the whole 60 seconds....but beware, BC Ferries does not! Yesterday evening my partner ran foul of the new time cut-offs, showing up at 9.25 (by the cell phone clock - and they are usually considered accurate). When the truck pulled up to the ticket booth it was still 9.25....not 9.26, or later....so surely WITHIN the required five minutes of the sailing. With the truck mere feet from the booth, and within sight of the crew, the barrier came down...UNFAIR I say...what say you?