After BC Ferries announced route closures, cancellations and temporary layoffs Friday morning in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Bowen Islanders may be wondering what’s in store for route eight.
First off, no runs have been cut on the Bowen Island route to date.
For other details the Undercurrent talked with Bowen’s Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) chair Melanie Mason.
Mason and other FAC chairs had a meeting with BC Ferries and a representative from the Ministry of Transportation just as Friday morning’s announcement was made.
“I think all the energy from BC Ferries and the province to date has been looking at putting in place the measures we saw today,” said Mason. “Now I think they'll start to look at the smaller routes on a case by case basis.”
“They are very mindful that with communities like ours, the ferry is our lifeline,” said Mason. She said that BC Ferries said that the FACs of these communities would be part of the conversation before any final decisions are made on these routes.
“They are aware that the ferries for small communities like ours transport to work, essential workers ––the nurses, firefighters, police officers,” said Mason. “So they’ll be reaching out to the communities and to the health boards as well.”
Mason said that another consideration is ensuring there’s no negative effect on supply chains.
Mason also said that BC Ferries has stepped up communication––the FACs now get daily updates from BC Ferries, a summary of what COVID-preventative steps that have been taken that day.
Things that have been in the updates include why sections of seats on the ferry are now cordoned off.
“We don't have as many passengers in the passenger lounges and so what they were trying to do was decrease the amount of area that their staff had to be constantly cleaning,” said Mason.
Other measures BC Ferries has taken include increased cleaning measures, recommending passengers stay in their vehicles, closure of overhead walkways, closure of food services, requiring electronic payment and putting in measures to separate employees from customers during necessary interactions (like at ticket booths).
Below is BC Ferries CEO Mark Collins’ video address.
