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Commissioner’s Questions On May 20, 2010, the Commissioner questioned BC Ferries about its deteriorating record of on-time performance on Route 19 (Nanaimo-Gabriola). The Commissioner asked as follows: BCFS’ quarterly reports show the following on time performance trends on Route 19: Could you provide an explanation for the almost uniform trend of deterioration? The Commissioner’s question to BC Ferries was prompted by a Gabriola resident who telephoned the Commissioner to report a particularly inconvenient delay on Route 19, and an apparent pattern of tardiness on the route. On this website you will find a page of BC Ferries’ service quality reports to the Commission, including the measure of on-time performance - see Appendix 4 of the download files on that page. BC Ferries’ Response On June 14, 2010, BC Ferries provided the following explanation to the Commission. “The on-time performance of the Gabriola Island – Nanaimo Harbour route has been deteriorating over the past several years due to a challenging schedule that is unable to meet the traffic demand. A number of factors are affecting the MV Quinsam’s ability to maintain the posted schedule including: increase in passenger traffic and bicycle traffic volumes; peak period demand; in-dock time; and vessel speed. The MV Quinsam has just returned to the route after the second phase of its asset betterment project to prepare the 28-year old ship for another 17 years of service. This life extension project included thed installation of four new propulsion systems and new propeller blades. During sea trials, the ship did not meet speed requirements and the propellers were re-pitched. While improvements were made, the ship is currently operating half a knot slower than before. “The speed of the MV Quinsam is just one part of the equation and BC Ferries is working with the propulsion system manufacturer to rectify this issue. The company |