B.C. Government Awards $200,000 Contract to Study Gabriola Bridge-Connecting Island to Mainland

Garbiola Islanders pretty much have to use the B.C. Ferries to get to and from the island.

A $200,000 contract awarded to a Colorado-based company (apparently our government??? does not believe Canadians-especially the peoples of British Columbia have enough intelligence to conduct such a study-so, of course, they cannot risk calling a referendum (vote to determine whether or not the peoples of British Columbia would even be in favour of such a bridge); which would, according to NEW POLICY PROPOSALS BEING SET FORTH, include tolls) to study the feasibility of linking Gabriola Island and Vancouver Island by bridge.

A Ministry of Transportation statement says the company Will Not Assess The Level Of Public Support for a fixed link with the island located east of Nanaimo. However, A Ministry of Transportation statement says the company will not assess the level of public support for a fixed link with the island located east of Nanaimo. The study announced in September, by Transportation Minister Todd Stone, after hundreds of locals who were tired of ferry fare increases and service cuts petitioned the government.

CH2M Hill Ltd., has offices across Canada; but, is a United States of the Americas company, based in Englewood, Colorado, will study potential bridge locations, cost estimates and compare a fixed link with existing ferry service.

Transportation Minister Todd Stone announced the study in September, after hundreds of locals who were tired of ferry fare increases and service cuts petitioned the government. Stone says the study will give residents the necessary information to have an informed debate about a bridge; and how it compares to the existing ferry service.

About 4,000 full-time residents live on Gabriola Island, SERVICED by a ferries- owned by those same-and ALL OTHER peoples Of British Columbia-and of Canada-that the B.C. government says carried 341,000 vehicles in 2013-14.

Proposed changes promising lower online fares for “savvy” (most tourists will not be “savy”) travellers with BC Ferries discriminate against and create a form of (illegal) imprisonment, for the elderly, and others on “fixed“ incomes; also on those who either are not computer literate or do not have access to one.

Borrowing a strategy from the airline industry, BC Ferries wants to turn its booking system upside-down so that travel reservations are the norm, and the cost of travel will vary depending on when and where customers purchase their tickets.

The proposed “fare flexibility” plan, which has been submitted to the Crown Corporation’s independent regulator??? (the regulator is, or SHOULD BE the Peoples of British Columbia), promises to provide lower fares for savvy travellers in vehicles who can take advantage of off-peak sailings.

BC Ferries is a quasi-private??? Crown Corporation (Crown Corporations are LEGALLY owned by All peoples of Canada just like the country itself is owned by All peoples of Canada–TranLink and BC Ferries both were and are- financed by the peoples of British Columbia/Canada- they ARE NOT AND NEVER CAN BE-UNDER CONSTITUTIONAL LAW- independent, private corporations. No wonder, the agency is a frequent target of public criticism. Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries’ president and CEO, said Wednesday the changes would help the “Company”??? improve service and reduce pressure on future fares, and should reverse the trend of declining ridership.

It’s a similar model with airlines Most of which are not CROWN CORPORATIONS/OWNED BY ALL CANADIANS, with private hotels, even with privately owned golf courses,” he said in an interview. People who are willing to book in advance, who are willing to accept some dictatorial restrictions and who are willing to travel at off-peak times (no thought of consideration whatever to be given to commuters-going to and coming from work{did some one mention “perks” given TransLink EXECUTIVES, who by NECESSITY must use private cars}) are going to get a completely different price than someone who travels at the last minute and at peak time.

The company filed a 200-page application to the BC Ferry Commission on Tuesday, and announced the plan on Wednesday. © Al (Alex-Alexander) D. Girvan. All rights reserved.