BC Ferries schedules 85 extra sailings for Thanksgiving weekend

 

BC Ferries schedules 85 extra sailings for Thanksgiving weekend (msn.com)

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BC Ferries schedules 85 extra sailings for Thanksgiving weekend

Darrian Matassa-Fung - 2h ago

 

It's finally time for turkey and pumpkin pie but if you plan to travelling on a ferry this Thanksgiving weekend, you may want to give yourself some extra time.

 

The BC Ferries vessel Spirit of Vancouver Island passes between Galiano Island and Mayne Island while travelling from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen, B.C., on Aug. 26, 2011.© THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

 

BC Ferries is expecting a sharp increase in passengers and has added 85 extra sailings for the long weekend.

 

#BCFNews

We're adding 85 extra sailings over Thanksgiving long weekend between #MetroVancouver, #VancouverIsland and the #SunshineCoast. More than 420,000 passengers and 160,000 vehicles are expected from Thursday through Tuesday.

Travel tips: https://t.co/39EHgaO2o9

🧵 (1/5) pic.twitter.com/eMcIqpONj5

— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) October 3, 2022

“More than 420,000 passengers and 160,000 vehicles are expected to travel across the system from Thursday through Tuesday,” BC Ferries staff said in a release.

Between Thursday, Oct. 6 and Tuesday, Oct. 11, BC Ferries is adding:

66 extra sailings on the Vancouver – Victoria route (Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay), the most popular route in the fleet, including 6:00 a.m. departures from Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen on October 6, 7, 8, 10 and 11

12 extra sailings on the West Vancouver – Nanaimo route (Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay)

7 extra sailings on the West Vancouver – Sunshine Coast route (Horseshoe Bay – Langdale)

Read more:

BC Ferries reports highest-ever quarter for vehicle traffic

 

Thanksgiving weekend is typically one of the busiest times of the year for walk-on travellers. Passengers are being warned that there may be extra-long wait times.

BC Ferries also advises to book spots ahead of time or arrive during non-peak times, like early morning or late night to avoid long sailing waits.

And as always, potential BC Ferries’ passengers are encouraged to to check sailings, conditions, and the most up-to-date information on BC Ferries twitter and website pages.

Read more:

B.C. island residents worry lack of emergency ferry service putting lives at risk

Two Coastal Inspiration sailings have been cancelled "due to crew availability" for Friday evening.

The sailings departing at 6 p.m. from Swartz Bay (Victoria) and 8 p.m. departing Tsawwassen have been cancelled.

Six more sailings have also now been cancelled due to crew availability on the Quinsam:

8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m., 10:30 p.m. departing Vesuvius Bay

9 p.m., 10 p.m., 11 p.m. departing Crofton

"A 11 passenger water taxi has been sourced and will provide complimentary service on the same schedule as the cancelled sailings," said BC Ferries staff.

Video: BC Ferries new pilot project to allow pets on upper decks