BC Ferries is set to increase sailings by almost 150 between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland to accommodate heightened holiday travel demand. Commencing on December 21 and running until New Year’s Day, the additional sailings include 112 trips along the Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen route and 34 between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo’s Departure Bay.

 

As December 23 is traditionally the busiest travel day for those heading to the Island before Christmas, BC Ferries aims to ease the surge in demand. Additional sailings will also be introduced between Tsawwassen and the Southern Gulf Islands, along with six extra trips between Horseshoe Bay and the Sunshine Coast.

 

BC Ferries emphasizes that sailings will be reduced on certain routes on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day due to lower demand on those days. Passengers without reservations should anticipate waits during peak travel times, as 62% of bookable space has already been reserved for the holiday period.

 

To streamline holiday travel, BC Ferries encourages passengers to carpool, walk onto the ferry, and get dropped off at the terminal to avoid traffic congestion. Passengers with reservations are advised to arrive 45 to 60 minutes before their scheduled departure.

 

Additionally, BC Ferries will be tracking Santa’s arrival in B.C. with the help of Captain Kelp, a camera-equipped reindeer. The festive vessels decorated with seasonal displays aim to spread holiday cheer during the travel season.

 

For those interested in following Captain Kelp’s Santa tracking, tune into BC Ferries’ social media feeds starting at 8 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

 

Source: Victoria News