West Coast Now
There’s good news this week for travellers crossing the Canada-U.S. border on the Alaska Marine Highway System.
Schedule cuts were widely expected for the season, including for Prince Rupert.
But after getting feedback from the public and requests for more service, Alaska announced that the cuts won’t be happening, and said it will work “to minimize service disruptions.”
“We heard from our communities, and we’re listening,” said Commissioner Ryan Anderson of the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities.
Because some of the ferries will be overhauled, said the press release, it “will also contract supplemental service if needed to cover service disruptions.”
Ferries will stop in Prince Rupert just once a month – but that’s a relief for travellers disrupted when they stopped entirely during the pandemic, only resuming service again last June.
“While it may be the bare minimum in service options at once a month, keeping the sailings in motion through the winter makes for a good indication that Prince Rupert remains a vital destination for the Alaska service,” responded the North Coast Review in a blog post.
“The winter schedule makes for some welcome news that will bring additional commerce for the community through the off tourism season for both the hospitality and retail sector,” added the Review.
You can find the new winter sailing calendar here.
