On March 15, 2021 BCTA met with BC Ferries to discuss the upcoming ELD Mandate, dedicated commercial sailings and opportunities to work together to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by promoting the efficient movement of goods.
During the meeting, it was agreed that BCTA and BC Ferries will establish a task force, including representatives from BCTA (with BCTA motor carrier members) and BC Ferries with the purpose to identify both short-term and long-term opportunities to further support the efficient movement of goods and for carriers to be compliant with commercial hours of service regulations.
This meeting was a follow up to BCTA’s January 19, 2021 letter to BC Ferries seeking priority access to the BC Ferries reservation system, real-time sailing availability and priority loading on the lower vehicle deck to address the wait times commercial carriers have experienced at BC Ferries terminals.
Prior to the March 15th meeting, BC Ferries responded to BCTA’s letter. Highlights from the BC Ferries letter to BCTA include:
BC Ferries will continue to work to be responsive to commercial drivers by reviewing traffic demand data to identify emerging traffic trends;
BC Ferries will continue monitoring public and health orders to ensure there is sufficient commercial capacity and make adjustments to be responsive to commercial demand patterns;
BC Ferries has launched a website to improve visibility of current conditions and review available commercial capacity;
BC Ferries encourages commercial carriers to reserve well in advance to reduce wait times at terminals; and
BC Ferries has added additional sailings to accommodate for the upcoming busy summer months, and has allocated additional reserved space for commercial vehicles on main vehicle decks.
BC Ferries also confirmed it is exploring the possibility of adding either a late evening or early morning sailing.
Please click here for a copy of BC Ferries’ February 22 letter.
For background, see the January 25, 2021 Bulletin article “BCTA Seeks Priority Access to Reservations, Reduced Wait Times at Ferry Terminals"
