HAIDA GWAI HIT BY JULY 4 FERRY SERVICE ROLLBACK
Alliford Bay Ferry Landing and possibly Skidegate Ferry Landing
Sandspit, BC
Subject: Naughty BC Ferries!
Contact: Bente Sutherland:
thewxgrl@gmail.com
BREAKING: Bente Sutherland has just sent this July 4th message to the members of Rock the Boat:
Well, I just found out tonight on my ferry back to Sandspit, that the BC Ferries "Big Wigs" are coming on July 4th to have a meeting with the staff and crew of the Kwuna. They are coming to discuss rolling back to a 12 hour run, and to see our protest. How convenient for them, we protest rising fares and they counter with shortening the day. We look like bad guys to those who don't like the idea of a 12 hour shift. Personally I have no qualms with going down to 12, but it irks me to no end that they would manipulate this to their means!!
If you have any ideas on how we can foil this naughty plan, let me know. Also, if anyone can play a musical instrument and would like to play during the protest, please bring it!"
Earlier Message: This will be a peaceful protest based at the two ferry landings, Alliford Bay and Skidegate, during the hours of the first run 7am to the last run 10:30pm.
A CRISIS OF SUSTAINABILITY
We are totally dependent on our ferries-there is no alternate route!
Having lived on Hornby since 1984, I am angered by recent ferry rate hikes. It's a real financial burden on families here. Teenagers need to engage in after school activities. As a responsible parent, I like to attend their events. This requires a trip to Courtenay. If I don't go, the kids take a bus to Buckley Bay then I drive across Denman to pick them up. As ferry & gas rates skyrocket, I have told my teenagers to look for a ride. I don't like to call this hitchhiking, but that's literally what it is! When I moved to Hornby the fares were nominal and we considered the ferry to be part of our highway system. Does the government realize that they are killing our community? -Karen Ross (Hornby)
I am 59 years old, own my house and have been self-employed for 30 years as a musician & artist. In the past 3 years, my income has been reduced by approximately 35% as a direct result of the dramatic downturn in tourist trade to the islands and my inability to compete with other artisans who do not have to raise their prices in accordance with ferry fares to deliver their goods and services.-Annie Siegel (Denman)
In 2003, with children and grandchildren in Vancouver and Ontario, we retired from the Fraser Valley to our property on Hornby. We carefully planned our budget so we could regularly visit them or assist them to visit us. Since then, ferry fares have doubled. We now use only our 'senior days' to go to Vancouver and we go less often. In the future as we 'age in place', they will need to come and see us more frequently and this may not be possible. -Sharon Rogalsky (Hornby)
When I began commuting to work in 1991 the ferry fare amounted to less than 4% of my gross pay. Now the fare amounts to almost 10% of gross. In that time period my wages increased by about half while ferry rates increased about three and-a-half times. Commuting to jobs off island has been a mainstay of Denman's economy, and it's getting strangled. -Bob French (Denman)
LINKS KEY:
BREAKING: July 4th Protest Coverage Protests against ferry fare extortion by BC government took place on several islands - with much more to come!
BREAKING: Galiano blockades ferry Spontaneous July 5th action saw irrate islanders and visitors move to stop less-than-full ferry from sailing.
Fairer Ferry Fares Scotland and Newfoundland are lowering ferry fares with a new "Road Equivalency" rate structure hailed for its fairness. Why not here?
Ferry Fares Talking Points
A former Vancouver Sun reporter helps make sense of the ferries issue, with additional insights from William Thomas.
BC Ferries Answers To No One
A provincial government panel says that BC Ferries does not answer to nonexistent shareholds, or to the BC government.
Don't Be Fuelish BC Ferries boss says fares must continue to rise to cover fuel costs. Is this true? With Peak Oil here, what must governments do?
What This Is About Our rights to affordable ferry fares are part of a worldwide movement for change. Read why here.
Boo Who? What ever happened to our Coastal Marine Highways? Read the real story behind the BC Ferries privatization scam.
Letter To The Good Ferry Will Thomas addresses BC's Minister of Transportation with some startling observations - and proposals.
Experience The Inconvenience Click here to read about the impacts of rising fares on island and coastal communities, as well as coverage of the first 2008 rally led by the Fair Fare Ferry Fare Fairy - and Spiderman!
Is BC Ferries Missing The Boat? With Climate Shift and Peak Oil already making waves, hybrid passenger ferries are riding easy from Singapore to Sydney. Should we be taking a fresh look at moving people between our islands - while we still have time to make a graceful transition?
So You Want To Run Your Own Ferry Learn from the experts - those who tried and failed. (Hints: Bigger may not be better. And going for petroleum-powered speed is a non-starter.)
May Day Ferry Protest Coverage Read all aout it!
BC Ferries To Shoot Passengers Out Of Cannons Leaked documents reveal secret BCFS plans to reduce costs and "expedite service" by loading passengers into cannons and firing them ashore. I'm serious. Read more here.
Minister of Transportation
250-387-1978
kevin.falcon.mla@leg.bc.ca
David Hahn, President & CEO
BC Ferry Services Inc.
250-381-1401 (head office)
david.hahn@bcferries.com
Martin Crilly
BC Ferries Commissioner
martin.crilly@bcferrycommission.com
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Utilize all forms of media to express your concerns
Get on board, pass the word, and rock the boat!
Make your outrage known (politely):
Rock The Boat Coalition welcomes a diversity of approaches toward achieving the goal of…
Check out our website for more information:
www.willthomasonline.net (click on "Rock the Boat")
Email us: rocktheboat@yahoo.ca
Hornby, Denman, Gabriola, Quadra, Cortes, and Haida Gwaii are already onboard, with more ferry-dependent communities expressing interest:
ROCK THE BOAT! - JULY 4th CALL OUT
ROLL BACK THE FERRY FARES!
INTER-ISLAND RALLY FRIDAY JULY 4
At your local ferry terminals
Rock the Boat Coalition is a group of islanders who view our ferry as an essential service that must be affordable and reflect the needs of our residents.
Contacts for Rock the Boat Coalition:
250-335-1608 (Denman) 250-335-0908 (Hornby)
Our motive: Concern for the growing hardships imposed upon island communities by increased ferry fares.
Our contention: Lower fares will stimulate local economies, maintain a healthy tax base and keep our communities sustainable.
Our objective: We welcome all concerned groups and individuals to get on board to insure that our needs are addressed.
Our Immediate Goal Is To "Roll Back The Ferry Fares" to 2004 Prices
Our Long Term "Environmental Vision" Includes:
Additional discount for high occupancy and electric vehicles, walk-ons and bicycles
Free parking at ferry terminals
Synchornize public transport with ferry schedules to minimize car use
The higher fares have been a major contributing factor to passenger decline and the related tourism drop over the past three years. Loss of passengers is an indicator of the decline in the economic and social well-being of our coastal communities.
JUST IN! Making matters even worse, on Tuesday June 17 a proposal slated to take effect this summer for an additional fuel surcharge of up to 20% was made by BC Ferries CEO David Hahn.
Is such island-emptying opportunism really necessary? DON'T BE FUELISH!
Bill Bennett (new)
Bill.Bennett.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Hornby 4-7 pm terminal area
Hornby 4-7 pm terminal area
Photos by William Thomas
BUCKLEY BAY - HORNBY ISLAND FARE INCREASES
2003 two people and vehicle $44.50 July 4th 2008
$66.80
2003 four people and vehicle $54.50 July 4th 2008
$97.00
August 2008:
20% fare increase
Support your community advocates. Donations are urgently needed to cover the escalating costs of this ongoing website coverage. Thank you! -William Thomas
