Long weekend travel: Vehicle reservations on all BC Ferries' major routes sold out Friday
BC Ferries is warning travellers to pack their patience for what’s shaping up to be a very busy Thanksgiving long weekend.
Vehicle reservations on all the major routes leaving the Lower Mainland were completely sold out Friday before the sun came up.
That included Tsawwassen to Duke Point and Swartz Bay, and Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay and Langdale.
The corporation had anticipated this would happen, putting out a travel advisory day in advance.
“Customers without a booking should arrive prepared for sailing waits, as standby space will be limited,” wrote BC Ferries in a news release Wednesday.
It says it’s best to avoid peak travel times, which historically are Thursday and Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.
“Thanksgiving Monday will be the most popular travel day, with traffic sailing from Nanaimo (Departure Bay), Victoria (Swartz Bay) and the Sunshine Coast (Langdale),” wrote BC Ferries.
You may have better luck boarding as a foot passenger, though most of those reservations are also gone.
To make matters worse, the Spirit of Vancouver Island, which operates between Tsawwassen and Victoria, remains out of service for repairs.
A smaller boat is being used in its place.
“Capacity will be reduced, however, as the Coastal Class vessel carries 310 vehicles and 1604 passengers and crew compared to the Spirit Class vessel which carries 358 vehicles and 2100 passengers and crew,” explained BC Ferries.
Travellers are encouraged to check the BC Ferries website before arriving at the terminal to check for any other delays.
“We understand that high traffic volumes can be frustrating for customers. We certainly want everyone to get to their desired destinations at the time that they want to do that,” said Astrid Chang of BC Ferries.
Traffic at the Tsawwassen Terminal was steady Friday morning, but there weren’t any significant lines because 75 per cent of space aboard bookable routes is allocated to reservations.
“For people who do have bookings, we advise them to arrive early. So 45 to 60 minutes before your scheduled departure time. For people who are walking on those foot passengers, give yourself extra time as well, up to 45 minutes,” explained Chang.
Most travellers reported making their bookings several days in advance.
“We did have reservations, we figured we better do that and everywhere we’ve gone has been beautiful,” said Alice and Karen from Lloydminster, Alta.
However, those without reservations did report sailings waits.
“We had our schedule and now we’ve got to wait an hour and a half, but hopefully everything’s going to be fine,” said Alexander from Ontario.
Whether you plan on travelling or staying close to home this long weekend, Dr. Bonnie Henry is asking British Columbians to keep their Thanksgiving gatherings small.
Those who have older or immunocompromised people attending are asked to ensure all guests are fully vaccinated.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.