On January 19, 2021, BCTA sent a letter to BC Ferries to express concern about its reservation system and the long wait times at terminals for heavy commercial trucks.

Both issues create challenges for compliance with hours-of-service regulations for professional truck drivers, as well as significant greenhouse gas emissions from forced engine idling for long periods of time.

Aligned with BCTA’s priorities of safety, sustainability and efficient movement of goods, we asked BC Ferries to prioritize the needs of BC’s commercial road transportation sector by providing:

• Priority access to the BC Ferries reservation system;
• Real-time sailing lower vehicle deck availability on BC Ferries site;
• Priority loading on the lower vehicle deck;
• Consideration to adding commercial-only sailings (e.g., late evening/early morning); and
• Assurance that commercial vehicles are a key consideration in BC Ferries’ vessel replacement/acquisition process, particularly regarding oversized loads, such as the movement of manufactured homes, excavating equipment, etc.

Click here for a copy of our letter.

BCTA will provide an update.