BC Ferries abruptly cancels trial for Sunshine Coast route changes in the face of public pushback

BC Ferries says it will not proceed with a trial to test major changes to BC Ferries' route from the Lower Mainland to the Sunshine Coast.

The announcement is an about face from the corporation after it announced details of the project last week.

On Friday, BC Ferries saidin a news releasethe issue hadbecomedivisive which was not the intent of the project.

The plan includedvehicle tolls at the Langdale ferryterminal near Gibsonswhich was previously free, making 95 per cent ofvessel space reservableand reducingfees on less popular sailings.The trial was set to begin in June.

The announcement quickly garnered backlash through apetition, which suggested the trial would negatively affect thousands of Sunshine Coast residents.

The corporation wantedto test the changes, saying they weren't intended to be a permanent solution to frustrations over the routeknown as Route 3.

Complaints about the route includeinsufficient capacity, not enough sailings andtoo manysailing waits.

'More community conversation is needed'

Nowthe corporation will operate the route without changes,with plans to havemore consultations about improvingservice in the future.

"It is evident that the issues are complex and more community conversation is needed before change can be considered," said Mark Collins, president and CEO of BC Ferries inthe release.

The trial was endorsed by the Sunshine Coast Regional District, the Town of Gibsons, and the District of Sechelt.

Lori Pratt, chair of the Sunshine Coast Regional District, said that some residents were concerned about bookings for 95 per cent of the space on ferries. They worriedthat commuter delays inMetro Vancouver could result in travellers missing their sailing home.

The plan to collect fares from drivers on the Langdalesidewas also criticised over concern that vehicles would becomebacked up and impede traffic in the area.