It is still unclear what impact a BC Ferries review of the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal will have on the Tsawwassen terminal.
BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said infrastructure improvements need to be made in Horseshoe Bay, but the review will not be about expanding the terminal’s footprint.
“It’s more about making the current footprint more efficient,” Marshall said. “Early in 2018 we will be starting a full public consultation process to obtain a vision for the future of Horseshoe Bay.”
She said once they have a clear idea on what improvements in Horseshoe Bay might look like, they can determine what the impacts could be on the Tsawwassen terminal.
“We have three berths in Horseshoe Bay and five in Tsawwassen, so we know we can’t add any more sailings in Horseshoe Bay. Could we add more in Tsawwassen? I just don’t know. I don’t want to pre-judge the process. It depends what comes out of the engagement.”
While the ferry corporation begins this public engagement, the provincial government will be working on an overall review of the coastal ferry service in B.C. and what improvements can be made to the existing service model.
The review will not consider bringing BC Ferries back into government.
Blair Redlin, former deputy minister of transportation and former CEO of the BC Transportation Financing Authority, has been appointed as a special adviser to oversee the review.
“He will be interviewing key staff members at BC Ferries and we will provide him with any background information,” Marshall said. “There have been a lot of reviews of BC Ferries over the years since we became an independent company. There are a total of 14 reviews and or audits and Mr. Redlin will be looking at those as well.”
