From Saturday, May 15, islanders have once again the option of taking a water taxi to Granville Island, but only on weekends. "We are only running the smaller boats," says Mike Shannon, owner and operator of the English Bay Launch. "And we are not doing the commuter run."
Shannon has previously run a water taxi service seven days a week between Snug Cove, Granville Island and Coal Harbour. Last December, he discontinued the run and has since explored the possibility of securing a subsidy. He hasn't had any success to find additional funding sources. Earlier this year, Shannon considered putting one of his boats, the High Flyer, into the water if he had a minimum of 12 riders per trip for the commuter runs from Monday to Friday. Again, he was unsuccessful and has now decided to limit his Bowen Island service to weekends only. English Bay Launch will leave Granville Island at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Departures from Snug Cove are scheduled for 9:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 3:45 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 7 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 604-484-8497.
Shannon has made Bowen Island his home and says he wants to do his part to support local businesses by bringing visitors to the island. At this point in time, he is planning the weekend service until the end of August. "We will also operate on long weekends," he said. "But this will be our last summer [for the Bowen Island run]."
In addition the the English Bay Launch, Cormorant Marina provides a water taxi service to from Bowen Island to Horseshoe Bay and back in the evenings.
