The
Provincial Government has started the process of consultation with Island
communities, in an attempt to plan the future of the ferry system. The choice
of Consultant should be complete sometime in July.
The
Government has very recently amended the Coastal Ferry Act to include all
options, including, bridge alternatives, to replace increasingly expensive
ferry systems. The last survey of Gabriolan attitutudes to transportation
choices, pegged dissatisfaction with the present situation of high costs, at
over 50%, and 35% of Gabriolans would prefer a bridge instead.
The
Gabriola run loses money and the Province is displaying concern about its
ability to cover future costs. The upcoming public discussion of our future
needs will include reductions in service, as many runs are almost empty, so our
choice will be: reduction of service, increased costs or a bridge.
I
wonder what the choices for Saltspring Island will be, because they have three
ferry services and six terminals to service their needs. Will Saltspring Island
have a single bridge alternative to three ferries to choose from? Visualize
three ferries and six terminals for 10,000 citizens!
We
must ensure that the upcoming survey of our opinions, are conducted with a
private ballot like in an election, to avoid name calling and disparaging
remarks.
Maybe
we can ask for a second ferry service, direct to Vancouver, like Saltspring
Island has? Would not that be fair? The Southern Gulf Islands loose $26
million, mostly Saltspring, per year. Of course we could replace our ferry, on
poorly utilized runs, with cheaper foot passenger only ferries to save money.
Jeremy Baker.
