Metro Vancouver & Interregional Passenger Ferry Service Discussion

[Migrant_Coconut]

New electric-battery passenger ferry service proposed to link downtown Vancouver with Bowen Island and Sunshine Coast

If all goes as planned, there could be a new passenger-only ferry service linking downtown Vancouver with Bowen Island and Sunshine Coast by 2025.

And it would use two 100% electric-battery vessels to enable relatively frequent service throughout the day, and for enhanced reliability and redundancy...

... Each vessel will seat 150 passengers and provide 20 dedicated bike racks, and their design is easily accessible for individuals with mobility needs.

The top speed of the vessels is 27 knots (50 km/hr), but without excess noise or vibration, and with minimal wake — unlike other models of high-speed, catamaran ferries that have been used in the past for BC’s coast.

The intention is to have Greenline Ferries’ docks and terminals located next to existing transportation hubs. The exact proposed location for the downtown Vancouver terminal has not been determined, but he suggests the outer berths of TransLink’s SeaBus terminal at Waterfront Station would be ideal, enabling passengers to connect with public transit services, especially SkyTrain, with ease.

The Bowen Island dock could be located at Snug Cove or a new development in Seymour Bay, while the Sunshine Coast dock could be at Gibsons Landing or near the Gibsons Public Market.

The end-to-end travel times are estimated to be 75 minutes for the route between downtown Vancouver and Gibsons, and 45 minutes between downtown Vancouver and Bowen Island...

I'm optimistic today, so I'm guessing four years until bankruptcy instead of three.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

New electric-battery passenger ferry service proposed to link downtown Vancouver with Bowen Island and Sunshine Coast

I see no reason why, just because a vessel is electrically propelled, there would be any less wake. And the need to recharge is going to limit service frequency.

I'm as big a proponent of electric transportation as anyone, but I'm not seeing the advantage here that would make this service any more viable than the several others that have folded while serving destinations with higher demand.

[officedweller]

Although it would make for a longer Gibsons trip, why can't Snug Cove be a stopover on the way to and from Gibsons?

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Although it would make for a longer Gibsons trip, why can't Snug Cove be a stopover on the way to and from Gibsons?

Probably becaue no one is really going between Gibsons and Bowen, and this arrangement allows them to pickup and dropoff at Vancouver twice as often.

[logan5]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

I see no reason why, just because a vessel is electrically propelled, there would be any less wake. And the need to recharge is going to limit service frequency.

I'm as big a proponent of electric transportation as anyone, but I'm not seeing the advantage here that would make this service any more viable than the several others that have folded while serving destinations with higher demand.

Savings on fuel costs?

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by chowhou

Probably becaue no one is really going between Gibsons and Bowen, and this arrangement allows them to pickup and dropoff at Vancouver twice as often.

Nitpick: twice as fast doesn't mean jack if each ferry's going to separate destinations. They'd need four ships in order to double service.

[officedweller]

Yeah, I was thinking the conservative approach would be one vessel with an intermediate stop, rather than buying 2 vessels.

[madog222]

VIFC is branding their service as Hullo, the website has pictures of the new ferries.

They say up to 7 round-trips per day and that the schedule and fares will be announced early June.

https://hullo.com/






Images from Vancouver Island Ferry Company

[WarrenC12]

So they have new ferries already, but no staff, and no area built to dock in Nanaimo yet?

[Changing City]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

So they have new ferries already, but no staff, and no area built to dock in Nanaimo yet?

No, but there's one in Vietnam. Maybe they're planning a different service?

[Migrant_Coconut]

Fifth* time's the charm?

*Not sure which number we're on, I lost count.

[madog222]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

So they have new ferries already, but no staff, and no area built to dock in Nanaimo yet?

Apparently groundbreaking ceremony today for the Nanaimo terminal "welcome centre" improvements. I think they'll be using the cruise ship dock and the existing building there.

https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news...ents-starting/

[officedweller]

Pretty subdued colour scheme - it reminds me of the old Cathay Pacific logo colour scheme (to 2014)


https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=...AAAAHQAAAAAQCA

[connect2source]

Catchiest name and best branding yet. Similar to something you'd see in Europe or Australia. Always disliked the V2V name and banding, Harbour Lynx sucked too.

[madog222]

The hull in Hullo meaning just hit me. That's a great name.

[chowhou]

The colours and logo remind me of Bubly more than anything else.

[jollyburger]

Sounds and looks like some name of a mobile phone operator in Europe.



https://www.pngegg.com/en/png-knqsq

I wonder how the economics compare between a Nanaimo and Victoria route.

[mattropolis]

Someone has decided to spend their pandemic windfall on boats! Cool, it’s good for us. I’ll try it out as soon as possible.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

I wonder how the economics compare between a Nanaimo and Victoria route.

Politicians and business people all take HeliJet to Victoria. A slower service may not attract their business.

On the other hand, Nanaimo passengers would probably be commuters/visitors who would be more cost-conscious and willing to sacrifice the extra time versus flying.

[Migrant_Coconut]

OTOH, Nanaimo only has 1/3rd of Victoria's population to begin with (and much less demand from the mainland), which probably offsets that.