BC Ferries recently welcomed new Gabriola-Nanaimo Harbour route commuters on its Island Class vessels.
The addition of the new routes allows BC Ferries to bolster capacity and sailing frequency to support commuters and school children leaving Gabriola, according to the transport agency.
One vessel is scheduled to run an 18-hour service while a second vessel is to run at the busiest 12-hour time of the day, allowing for more passenger and vehicle capacity throughout the day.
Each ferry can carry 47 vehicles, is battery-equipped to become fully electric in the future and outfitted with hybrid technology. Both also have exteriors designed to curb underwater-radiated noise and emissions and enhance customer service, the agency said.
The new service on the Gabriola Island route allows the transportation agency to launch the M/V Quinsam to the Crofton-Salt Spring Island route, increasing capacity by about 100 passengers and 19 vehicles per sailing.
“That’s an increase of an additional passenger capacity of up to 2,600 more passengers a day if needed and 494 vehicles over the course of the day,” BC Ferries explained in a statement, adding that it “is pleased to implement service improvements on both of these routes.”