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A third vessel will join the Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay route this summer. (Canadian Press)
bc ferries

Nanaimo to Lower Mainland ferry schedule shifts for summer season

Jun 17, 2019 | 4:06 AM

NANAIMO — More options will be available for travellers both to and from Vancouver Island this summer.

BC Ferries announced their summer schedule on Monday, June 17 to accomodate the expected influx of tourists and vacationers.

An additional ferry will join the Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay route starting Thursday, June 20, increasing the number of daily sailings from 17 to 24.

A new late-night route will take off only from Horseshoe Bay to the Island at 11:40 p.m. on select nights throughout the summer.

The Duke Point to Tsawwassen route won’t be joined by a third vessel, but the number of sailings throughout a week will increase starting June 26.

Astrid Braunschmidt with BC Ferries said the weekend runs will now be more consistent.

“In the summer time we’re able to provide more services with the two vessels who service that route. In the off-season we have a more abbreviated schedule on Saturdays and Sundays, but we are ramping up into peak season.”

The ferry schedule changes are in place until Sept. 2.

The Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay route handles nearly two millions passengers a year, while the Duke Point to Tsawwassen sailings ferry close to 900,000.

A full list of scheduled departures and arrivals can be found online here.

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