Terry

I just read a story in our local Washington state newspaper which was about a celebration for one of our ferries in which they stated "the Orcas library is sponsoring a birthday party for our very own interisland ferry, the Illahee. She will be 75 years old next week". Washington here in the US limps along with 75 year old ferries (which look every bit of 75 years old and drabbly painted) meanwhile when I ride the BC feries from Swartz Bay they are wonderful, fancy, modern, huge, expensive ferries. How do you Canadians do it? The ferry tickets are not more expensive than in WA. Are you heavily taxed for these ferries? The population of BC I would think is below that of Washington state so how can you afford all these expensive new ferries while we are using 3rd world ones? What's the secret and how can WA learn it?

very

zillions of dollars in subsidies. remember the 'fast cats'? C$300 million in taxpayers' money down the toilet...

Paul

taxes,taxes,taxes,taxes,taxes... you get the picture. It just about makes me cry to see the tax witholdings on my paycheque. All this money and it still is being mis-managed (mis-spent).

Carl Z

I think it's not really that BC Ferries are that great-they aren't.<BR><BR>It's just that WA state hasn't spent a nickel in decades.<BR><BR>I was shocked at the Third-World conditons aboard the Ferry to Vashon Island-just short of disgusting.<BR><BR>What with the Downturn in US Americans travelling abroad I'd think that WA state-which has a lot to offer-would make a play for some of that traffic.<BR><BR>But with those floating coffins they won't attract many people and those that do visit will never come back.<BR><BR>No secret-if you want to make money spend some money-ain't no other way.

Robyn

A few minutes ago I wrote out (for a friend of mine) a page from Vancouver author Douglas Coupland's book, "City of Glass". From A to Z, the book gives you a quick insight on Vancouver through the eyes of Coupland.<BR><BR>Under one of the "B" pages, he lists "BC Ferries". This is what he has to say:<BR><BR>BC Ferries<BR><BR>To get to Vancouver Island or any of the other small beautiul islands between there and Vancouver, most people take BC Ferries, and many of us have a ferry schedule taped to the fridge. The ferry is technically what you might call a "frozen freeway" - it's all of the people and cars you would have met if there were a freeway between here and the island. Ferries are wonderfully democratic and to walk the deck of one is to garner a good crossd-sectional view of society: bureaucrats, loggers, students, retirees with their Winnebagoes and always lots of sugar-fuelled tots.<BR><BR>Warning: a major part of the ferry experience involves waiting; that's because it's government-run and, in a way, the slow pace is part of the marine Zen. A one-sailing wait is annoying but tolerable. A two-sailing wait is blood-boiling and involves much self-blame for having chosen a bad departure time, plus a free-floating anger at a society that allows for the possibility of a two-ferry wait to even exist. A three-sailing wait I've never done, but I'm sure many crimes have been committed in its wake, and only the iciest-blooded of judges would feel no compassion for the three-sailing waiter.<BR><BR>The proper protocol for being on a ferry is this: the moment after you've locked your car (assuming you drove on), you rush like mad up to the cafeteria lineup and stand there for a goodly amount of time waiting to get your BC Ferry Burger with Sunshine Sauce. Red Jell-O cubes are also sold.<BR><BR>In spite of all the drawbacks, most Vancouverites have fond ferry memories. The ride is relaxing, and for some it's a rare chance to mix with fellow British Columbians. Seagulls love the ferries, too, and much fun can be had with a plate of french fries, tossing them up into the air into their beaks. The gulls fly at the same speed as the ferry, thus making them seem motionless. Then the other gulls catch on and it gets really brutal as they bite each other's feet, all to get your french fries. It's carnage, and it really makes you rethink all your preconceptions about birds.<BR><BR><BR>

deej

LOL robyn! it's actually a pretty good summary, since i've been on one of those two sailing waits. touch wood, i won't have to experience a three-sailer...

Gus Mitchell

Have to chuckle at some of the comments by the Canadians.<BR>How typically Canadian. You first don't appreciate what you have,then complain about taxes to subsidize the ferries and you would also complain ( loudly ) if the fares were to rise substantially to totally cover costs. Appreciate what you have and the quality of the BC Ferries compared to other places in the World.<BR>Have just returned from New Zealand and the ferries between the North and South Island have two levels of service-- "older", much similar to the smaller BC ferries and a couple of "fast cats" that can't really go fast because of the wake. Rather than perhaps having a one sailing wait,in NZ you might have a 1 or 2 day wait due to the infrequency of service. Cost between the two islands, which is a similar route as Tsawwassen to Van Island is:<BR>For older ferries $179NZ for car and driver ( approx $126cdn )plus $52 per passenger ( $37dcn)<BR>Lynx(fast cat) $199NZ car and driver ($140cdn)plus $68NZ per passenger ($48cdn)<BR><BR>All rates above are one way.<BR>

morgan

Hey Morgan,<BR><BR>how would you react if you get taxed at 53 percent per year in both federal and provincial taxes?

morgan

I meant hey Gus. Oops

G Mitchell

Hey Morgan --So angry you are talking to yourself ?<BR><BR>I am taxed at the top marginal rate in BC and don't at all mind paying the taxes. Sometimes we Canadians just don't recognize the quality of life we have in this country compared to other areas ( although that is certainly under attack by some "free market" politicians )<BR><BR>Canadians often point, with envy to the US tax rates, but remember the US is the most undertaxed of all the western nations.<BR><BR>And,BTW you are not taxed at 53% --check the tax tables and you will see that by next year the top marginal combined rate will be around 43% Time to raise it back to 51% so we can get some of our services back!

paul

Hey G.<BR> How wonderful you don't mind paying high taxes! At the top rate, it sounds like you can afford to. And damn those free market politians, how dare they try to give us choice and encourage entrepreneurs. I'm sure we'll see you at the next anti-globalization rally.<BR><BR>The U.S. undertaxed?! Are you out of your mind?!