BC Ferries expects this coming Monday will be busy as people from the Mainland line up at Vancouver Island terminals to return home.
Delays for travellers come as the Coastal Celebration, which sails between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, has been off the water and undergoing maintenance.
It isn’t expected to be back in operation until after the long weekend, according to the ferry company.
READ ALSO: Busy weekend traffic and reduced sailings results in multiple sailings waits on BC Ferries
Karen Johnston, BC Ferries’ executive director of communications, says the end of the long weekend is usually busy.
“What we traditionally see is the return being concentrated, so tomorrow will be busy as everybody is coming home from their long weekend and getting ready to go back to work,” said Johnston.
Additionally, for those planning to travel as walk-on passengers, BC Ferries is encouraging customers to take public transit or get dropped off at one of their major route terminals as parking is either unavailable or very limited.
BC Ferries says that on Saturday, 20,733 passengers and 5,103 vehicles travelled between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay.
Marking the beginning of the long weekend Friday, the company carried more than 24,000 passengers and 6,400 vehicles on that same route.
Mike Gilbert, a walk-on passenger who was scheduled on a sailing from Duke Point to Tsawwassen that got cancelled, suggests people consider public transportation.
“I’d say travel light maybe if you don’t have your car, it’s a lot easier to travel without a vehicle. I find you’re usually guaranteed to get on rather than be turned away,” said Gilbert.
Travellers are encouraged to stay up to date on current conditions via the BC Ferries website or Twitter account.
Tchadas Leo
