Though we're mere days from the Queen of Capilano's return (Feb. 21), one islander wants to make sure BC Ferries knows exactly what Boweners have endured over the past month of Bowen Queen service.
The Bowen Queen's 40 per cent reduction in car capacity from the Queen of Cap has meant severe overloads, even outside of commuter runs, and tense exchanges in the ferry lineup. Valentine's Day, last Friday evening, the ferry was overloaded from at least late afternoon, through to the final sailing. The Bowen Queen also has no elevator to upper floors for those unable to take the stairs and no enclosed shelter from the mid-winter winds.
Maureen Nicholson launched the (unofficial) 2020 Bowen Island Ferry Refit Community Impact survey over the weekend.
"I wanted to gather community feedback to help ensure we never have the Bowen Queen as a refit vessel again. It’s called advocacy," wrote Nicholson in an email. "The survey’s been open for less than a day, and more than 150 people have responded. The stories they’re telling of the impact are detailed, compelling, and just plain not fair."
Fill out the survey here. It will close at noon March 1.
