The Departure Bay ferry terminal will see thousands of travelers during BC Day long weekend. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
heavy demand

Busy weekend for BC Ferries with reservations in high demand

Jul 31, 2020 | 3:17 PM

NANAIMO — If you don’t have a reservation you could be waiting a while at a BC Ferries terminal this BC Day long weekend.

The busiest weekend of the summer is expected as communications manager Tessa Humphries noted increased numbers of people are feeling more comfortable with travelling around the province.

“If customers are traveling without a booking this weekend anticipate some sailing waits, or if their travel schedule is flexible to travel during less popular times,” Humphries said.

Those lower demand sailings on the Departure Bay – Horseshoe Bay route are the 8:30 p.m. and 10:40 p.m. sailings leaving Horseshoe Bay and the 10:40 leaving Departure Bay, according to BC Ferries.

Three sailing waits were reported by BC Ferries as of Friday afternoon for travelers heading to both of Nanaimo’s major ferry terminals, while space is limited heading back the other way.

As expected foot passenger ticket sales sold out on multiple Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay sailings on Friday.

BC Ferries expected foot passenger tickets to sell out on Sunday and Monday for Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay bound travelers.

She said there is “zero tolerance” for abuse of BC Ferries employees and they have taken numerous steps to improve safety on their vessels.

“We’ve spaced out the chairs in the lounges, we’ve got decals to ensure the proper physical distancing, please respect all of the protocols,” Humphries said.

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