BC FERRIES TO IMPLEMENT SCHEDULE REFINEMENTS APRIL 28, 2014 AFTER GATHERING FEEDBACK VIA ONLINE AND TELEPHONE SURVEYS
VICTORIA – Following the provincial government’s release of the Coastal Ferries Consultation and Engagement summary report and their final decision regarding service level reductions, BC Ferries announced today the company will engage with the affected communities regarding schedule refinements, so that finalized schedules can be implemented by April 28, 2014.
In an effort to obtain as much meaningful feedback as possible on ferry schedule refinements from the communities affected, BC Ferries has committed to soliciting public opinion regarding sailing schedule options through online and telephone surveys. These draft options take into consideration feedback heard during the recent engagement process and will be designed to demonstrate operationally feasible schedules that meet the targeted savings for service reductions. These options will be made available mid next week along with an announcement to inform customers how to provide their feedback.
“Now that the Province has made their final determination on service levels, BC Ferries needs to move forward to implement schedule adjustments,” said Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries’ President and CEO. “We want to work with the communities we serve on the sailing schedule refinement options to ensure the optimal sailing times are determined while still achieving the net savings outlined by the Province.”
Based on the online and telephone feedback on the draft schedules, BC Ferries will meet with community leaders, including Ferry Advisory Committee members, to discuss the feedback received in order to implement the revised schedules for April 28, 2014.
BC Ferries will announce the specifics of the online survey mid next week when details are finalized.