A petition to create a two-ferry service between Crofton and Vesuvius Bay on Salt Spring Island has quickly reached its goal of 1,500 signatures.
The initial 1,000 signatures came primarily from Salt Spring, with the remainder since then being mainly from Crofton and the Mid-Island area once word of the petition spread across the channel last week.
B次元官网网址淚 think your article pushed us over the top,B次元官网网址 said petition organizer David Courtney of a story that appeared in Black Press papers around the Island last week. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e done 500 after the article came out.B次元官网网址
The proposal calls for BC Ferries to run two ferries simultaneously, the MV Quinitsa and the MV Quinsam thatB次元官网网址檚 coming to the route anyway in the spring.
ItB次元官网网址檚 seen as the answer to clear backlogs at the Crofton and Vesuvius terminals that create access and other problems within both communities.
B次元官网网址淲e havenB次元官网网址檛 freed up traffic on the roadways forever,B次元官网网址 said Courtney.
The plan would call for ferries to leave on the hour from both terminals. The combined capacity of the two vessels would move 107 vehicles per hour and keep the overload and waiting lines much shorter.
There has been plans in the works for years to redevelop the Crofton terminal, but thatB次元官网网址檚 been stalled by COVID.
Courtney also sees the plan as a means to correct the same backlogs being experienced at Fulford Harbour, with more migration to the other route for business and individual purposes.
B次元官网网址淭his is where the traffic wants to go anyway,B次元官网网址 he pointed out.
Courtney is also in the process of garnering further support from the Salt Spring Island and Chemainus & District Chambers of Commerce plus neighbouring Chambers.
Even though the petition has reached the target, Courtney isnB次元官网网址檛 about to stop it just yet.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l run it for another seven days,B次元官网网址 noted Courtney. B次元官网网址淎t that point, weB次元官网网址檒l collect the signatures.B次元官网网址
The 1,500 names, he added, B次元官网网址渕akes a statement. If we get 2,000 that would be perfect.B次元官网网址
The petition is available to physically sign in Crofton at the Third Wave Coffee Company, 1532 Chaplin St., or at CedrickB次元官网网址檚 Coffee House, 1610 Joan Ave.
People interested in signing can also still do it on-line by going to change.org and then searching for The Fix For Route 6.