As of Thursday October 18, the Queen of Capilano will be running at an A licence on its 7:30 a.m. weekday commuter run, at least until the end of November.
“BC Ferries will evaluate passenger loads during this period and determine whether the solution is to be made permanent,” reads a Bowen Island Municipality press release quoting mayor Murray Skeels.
“This improvement to operations was made in response to concerns expressed by the community about overloads on recent morning sailings from Snug Cove when commuters and high school students were left behind despite available deck space. A Class A license will increase onboard staffing levels and operating costs, but will in turn increase passenger capacity by approximately 40 people,” says Skeels.
An A licence means that the boat, as per Transport Canada regulations, can carry 432 passengers rather than the B licence’s 392 allowed passengers.
Ferry Advisory Committee chair, Susanna Braund, wrote a full update for the Undercurrent of the action both the FAC and Bowen Island Municipality Transportation Advisory Committee had been taking for improved Bowen service.
