The Fog...

When we approached the BC Ferries, Gabriola terminal last night we were greeted by the amazing array of city lights and the moon, shining through the fog. The echoes of the fog horn bellowed through Downtown Nanaimo, as the ferry made it's sailings across. The activity sof the city set against the stillness of the fog, so thick you couldn't see the ferrry approaching, was one of those moments you want to just capture on film...

BC Ferries Coast Saver Spring Break Savings

If you are looking for a Spring Break Activity, consider a trip to come and explore Gabriola Island… During the second week of Spring Break BC Ferries is offering reduced fares from the mainland to Vancouver Island, so there’s no better time.

From March 22nd, 2011 - March 31st, 2011: CoastSaver fares of $39.95 one way for a car and driver will be in effect on all scheduled sailings, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. Adult passengers pay just $9.95.

Coast Saver spring break savings fares apply to all passenger vehicles (up to 20' in length) fare types (including motorcycles) and are available on the following routes in both directions:

* Tsawwassen(Vancouver)-Swartz Bay(Victoria)

* Horseshoe Bay(Vancouver)-Departure Bay(Nanaimo)

* Tsawwassen(Vancouver)-Duke Point(Nanaimo)

There’s even more savings when you book a March Break Getaway through BC Ferries Vacation http://www.bcferriesvacations.com/marchbreak.html and receive a FREE room upgrade with a minimum 2-night stay when you travel on a CoastSaver day.

For more information, visit http://www.bcferries.com/ or call 1 888 BC FERRY (1 888 223 3779). Hope to see you on the Island…

Gabriola Island Ferry - Savings

There are a few ways that you can save money while riding the ferry between Gabriola Island and Nanaimo. Island residents will often purchase a BC Ferries Experience™ Card which is an electronic swipe card that can be loaded with money and used to pay for ferry travel on participating routes. On the Nanaimo-Gabriola route, you pay for a return fare before boarding at the Nanaimo ferry terminal. When you pay for a standard vehicle and driver on the route the fare today would be $30.10, however if you pay using the Experience Card the total fare would be $18.70- that's quite a savings!

Seniors receive free passenger fares Monday to Thursday excluding Statutory Holidays.

If you're traveling for medical appointments you may qualify for the Travel Assistance Program, eligible medical services are outlined on the Ministry of Health Services website.

Also, students travel free between their residence and school, and to attend or participate in school and junior association education and sporting events on the Gabriola -Nanaimo route. As a parent that has kids in weekly swimming lessons in Nanaimo, I find that it makes a difference at the end of the month.

Hope these Savings will help !

New Tax Credit for Public Transportation (BC Ferries)

A friend of mine just let me know about a new tax credit that the Federal Government has brought in for use of public transportation. The BC Ferries website has information about qualifying your ferry trips for a tax credit and it looks like you will need to have 16 round trips in a 31 day period, which will effect residents on Gabriola that commute to Nanaimo for work. These will need to be paid for using an electronic payment card. You will need to register your BC Ferries experience card online or by phoning the Customer Service Center (1 888 223 3779). Once a card is registered you will be able to obtain a travel history report, this can be printed and will show all the trips taken on the card. For more information about the federal income tax credit for public transit, visit the Canada Revenue Agency Website and talk with your accountant. You may also want to read the full article on the BC Ferry website.

Coast Realty Group on the BC Ferries

Beginning this month, passengers on BC Ferries Coastal Renaissance will be able to view properties listed with Coast Realty Group during their 95 minute crossing between Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay.

In partnership with Tourism Nanaimo and Vancouver Island University, the tourism desk of the new ferry will feature a direct link to properties listed on http://www.coastrealty.com/ and information about Coast Realty Group’s 14 offices serving Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.

Vancouver Island University tourism students, who staff the desk, expect to greet 30,000 passengers from May to September on four daily crossings, seven days a week.

Jennifer Lynch, Manager of Coast Realty Group (Gabriola Village) Ltd., said, “with a healthy listing inventory coupled with near record low interest rates , we expect that the Spring market will continue through the Summer. With a large percentage of our buyers coming from out of town, marketing programs such as the partnership with Tourism Nanaimo on the BC Ferries is a great service to our clients and compliments other corporate marketing efforts such as video marketing presentations at Comox Airport (YQQ).”

Exploring the Gulf Island and BC's West Coast

Over the past weekend I had some clients from out of province and one of our discussions on the tour of properties was about the BC Ferries Experience Card which allows you to get a significant discount when you travel on the Nanaimo - Gabriola route and other routes as well.

The clients I was out with had purchased a 4 consecutive day SailPass which allowed them to travel from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay and through several of the gulf Islands and returning to Vancouver for a cost of $189.00 for two adults and a car. This is a great way to explore Island Living and is a unique way for Islanders to travel locally.

There are many other options to consider when you are planning your vacation or exploring a route for commuting, one is the Assured Boarding Passes which are available for the three major Vancouver Island/Mainland routes or you may consider making reservations. To find out more about the specials and trip planning visit : http://www.bcferries.com/travel_planning/ . Submitted by: Tina LYNCH

BC Ferries - Winter Super Sails

BC Ferries Winter Super Sail runs from December 1, 2008 - January 31, 2009

BC Ferries is making it easier for you to visit families, friends and loved ones during the holidays with the BC Ferries Winter Super Sail. From December 1st until January 31st 2009 you can save 33% on all fares and all routes. These savings apply to all passengers and all vehicles on all sailings from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland to the Gulf Islands and the Sunshine Coast.*

On Gabriola, with a pre-paid pass, that means that a car & driver return is now $12.45 reduced from $18.55 - Christmas has come early to the islanders...

If your planning on travelling on the mainland ferries over the holiday season, you may want to make a reservation, and check the schedules for any additional and cut sailings, to help ensure your travel plans go smooth, you can make your reservations online at: https://www.bcferries.com/bcftravelcentre .

*Assured Loading Tickets and reservation fees for the Vancouver-Vancouver Island and Horseshoe Bay-Langdale routes are not included in this promotion.

BC Ferries Coast Card

The new BC Ferries Coast Cards are now in circulation. There are a few places you can get you card, including at the Nanaimo terminal of the Gabriola Ferry.

After 29 years I’ve become a creature of habit. it’s going to be hard to give up the paper tickets & replace them with an electronic swipe card, but I’m making the transition. On the brighter side I’m trying to sell myself on the benefits including the ability to register them. In addition to the loss protection it offers, these cards will offer islanders & tourists (who are planning to do some travel) an opportunity for reduced fares, on participating routes, by loading a minimum amount of $40.00 for Passengers or $75.00 for Vehicle & passengers. This is a considerable savings over the posted fares, and even the long time islanders, who see how long we can go between trips to the “big city” aka Nanaimo – the savings are appreciated.

For daily commuters who want to keep an account of their travel - there is the possibility to use the travel account history report. You can even have multiple cards for different uses!
If you’ve got your card make sure to register it online at: http://www.bcferries.com/ .

Planning a trip to the island this summer? Consider taking advantage of the savings offered by the Coast Card, after one visit your sure to want to come back again soon!