Ferry Schedules to Gabriola Island

The ferry schedules have all been changes since we were last on the island and will change again for summer travel.  The B.C. government has made several cuts to the different schedules that service the islands.  The BC Ferry Corp acts as the province's sea-going highway connecting islands.  It is also a life-line for islanders.  Some Islanders are very dependent on the ferry to take them to Nanaimo to work.

There is a timelessness here on Gabriola except when it comes to the ferry schedules when trying to get to and from the island.  Ferry routes are our marine highways.

Today, the ferry line up for sailing to Nanaimo from Gabriola Island is fairly short.  Summer is over and the tourists have all gone home.  The ferry is on a new schedule because of cut-backs and the season.

Often we have got into discussions about the development of this island.  The electrician we hired for a small job told us that he was leaving the island as he was tired of catching ferries and was ready for change.  He said he would like to see a bridge built to connect the islands.  He wanted change but tells us that the older folk do not.  Perhaps he forgot why most people come to, or stay on this island - for a simpler, quieter, easy-going life and to be away from the rat race of the big cities.  The price of change would be the tranquillity that was originally sought.  So at present there is a big debate over building a bridge to connect islands to mainland.