Bowen Islanders' interests in matters regarding the ferry are heightened at the moment, believes Alison Morse, municipal councillor and member of the Ferry Advisory Committee, and she wants to encourage them to participate in the public consultation and engagement process launched by the provincial government in response to a recent review by the independent BC ferry commissioner. Details about the process and how to get involved are available on a new website at www.coastalferriesengagement.ca that offers online feedback forms and lists the dates of small group meetings and open houses in several communities.
The public consultation seeks input on decisions about service adjustments that are envisioned to make coastal ferry services more sustainable and able to meet the needs of coastal communities in the face of declining ridership and rising costs. Morse drew attention to a $26-million target for service cuts. "It appears to be a figure the province put into its contract with BC Ferries as a way to cap its contribution to ferries," she said. "And the cap comes on top of its earlier funding freeze." Morse added that no specifics have been released to say where the $26 million will come from.
In a press release, the Ferry Advisory Committee Chairs say that previous government announcements led coastal ferry users to expect consultation on specific cuts and cost-saving measures but the "ferry service consultation just launched by the provincial government appears confusing, rushed, and missing key parts of the picture" (http://facchairs.wordpress.com/2012/10/30/service-consultations-questioning-the-point/).
The Ferry Advisory Committee Chairs have also said that there is little time for people to go over complex information or look for other sources in order to be meaningfully engaged, especially in the light of the goals of the consultation that looks beyond service adjustments, asking for comments and suggestions on a long-term vision for an affordable and sustainable coastal ferry service. Morse urges islanders to sign up for the meeting that is scheduled for Nov. 28 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bowen Island Community School. As a small group meeting, it requires registration by e-mailing ([email protected]) or calling 1-855-387-7882. Morse added that a public meeting is scheduled for Vancouver at the SFU Segal Graduate School of Business for Nov. 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. where no registration is required.
