It’s commuter chaos, Lotusland style..BC Ferries’ public advisory committee meetings had to be taken online this week after frustrated ferry goers crashed the meetings, shouting obscenities and key scratching vehicles in the parking lots..At a recent meeting in Gibson’s Landing — where the long-running Beachcombers television series was shot — a woman reportedly threatened to “take a gun” to everyone at the gathering if BC Ferries didn’t make changes to it operating schedules..“Over the past several months, our team members have noted a rise in aggressive, threatening and abusive behaviour while out in the community, including the keying of vehicles, shouting, foul language and a disrespect for personal space,” wrote Brian Anderson, the Crown corporation’s vice-president of strategy and community engagement, in a letter to all the provinces’ ferries advisory committees..“The safety of our staff and community is always top priority. “.The RCMP is investigating the incident. So far no charges have been laid but it underscores the frustration of BC residents who rely on ferry service, especially in remote communities located from the Mainland..People were reportedly upset at the meeting with service disruptions and hours-long waits at terminals for a ferry ride that takes less than 40 minutes to get to Horseshoe Bay. In addition, dozens of sailings were cancelled over the busy summer months resulting in further congestion..In addition to the public meetings, workers have been complaining of swearing, yelling, spitting and even instances where motorists have deliberately swerved cars toward attendants. Some regular riders have even been banned, as per the BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union..And it’s about to get worse ahead of Thanksgiving..BC Ferries on Thursday announced one of its largest vessels, The Spirit of Vancouver Island, will be in dry dock from October 10 to 18 for ballast tank repairs. .In August, a similar-sized boat, the Coastal Renaissance was pulled from service until at least November to fix a drive motor that allows it to travel in two directions. The massive rotor had to be removed and sent to Indiana for repairs..That in turn has prompted BC Ferries to cancel at least 60 sailings on other routes from Nanaimo to Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast affecting thousands of bookings..It has prompted criticism from local Birkenstock wearers over the reliability of the German-made vessels, both of which came into service in 2007 at a cost of $516 million each. They’re the largest double-ended ferries in the world..The ships were controversial at the time, because the provincial government of the day chose a German shipbuilder over a Vancouver-based manufacturer because they were 40% cheaper..The government-run corporation has budgeted $124 million for maintenance this year and is embarking on a multi-billion dollar terminal modernization and fleet upgrade plan, including the addition of natural gas powered vessels..Stephen Jones, BC Ferries’ executive director of engineering, defended the ships at a media briefing in August..“No, I don’t believe they’re lemons,” he said. “Certainly this is a major issue and it’s extremely unfortunate. We’ll do everything we can to get it back into service. But these vessels…have had a reliable history.”
