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Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Saltspring Air

Whether it is a scheduled flight you are looking for, or want a chartered scenic/sightseeing flight, Saltspring Air is a great way to explore the beautiful west coast from Vancouver, Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, Gulf Islands and everything in-between!

Visit their website at www.saltspringair.com for more information, destinations and schedules.

photo credit – saltspringair.com
 

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

The B.C. Passenger Transportation Board has said that of July 12, cab and limousine fares will jump 3.5 percent, due to rising fuel costs.

The Transportation Board has also reviewed the issue of implementing a fuel surcharge, and have agreed to issue a temporary fuel surcharge which will take effect July 1.
All B.C drivers will pay an extra 2.4 cents per litre at the pump in the form of a carbon tax.
As we all know these temporary taxes have a way of never disappearing, so expect this “temporary” tax to be around indefinitely!

Food prices will also continue to rise. The only way to get the food to the grocery stores and restaurants is in the back of a truck, so the cost of fueling those trucks will be passed along in the price of the food.

I think the biggest impact on the tourism industry in Vancouver will be the continuing rise in the cost of airfares.
Many airlines have introduces fuel surcharges. Last month Air Canada and Westjet added surcharges of up to $45 depending on the flight.

As the tourist sector braces for the impact, those of us living here in beautiful Vancouver, will just have to wait and hope for some kind of stability to take effect!

Would like to hear how the soaring fuel prices are effecting you, and what you do (if anything) to try and compensate.

photo credit:
taxi photo
airplane photo

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Bicycles, skateboards, rollerskates, self propelled couches, and any form of human powered locomotion are all welcomed! We ride around the city wherever people want to go. This decided collectly, the length of the ride depends on enthusiasm and is also collectively decided.

No one comes is forced to or needs to break the law in order to participate. We meet 5 – 5:30 at the Vancouver Art Gallery, leave at 6:00pm; Critical Mass in Vancouver, for more information visit www.bikesexual.org/cm/

Photo Credit: sxc.hu

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

The SkyTrain network is being extended by 30.5km with the construction of the Canada Line and the Evergreen Line. Construction of the 19.5km Canada line has been underway since Sept 2007and is due open in 2009. The Evergreen Line was originally planned to open around the same time, but due to costs the lines opening has been pushed back till 2011.

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

The BC Transit System includes electric buses, the sea bus and a light-rail Skytrain.
It’s an ecologically friendly and extremely reliable system that allows you to go everywhere, from the beaches to the ski slopes!
The fares are bases on the number of zones you travel. One ticket allows you to travel from one mode of transportation to another for 90 minutes in one direction.

• one zone – $2.25
• two zone – $3.25
• three zone – $4.50

After 6:30pm on weekdays and all weekends and holidays you can travel through all 3 zones for $2.25 (in one direction).
Keep in mind that drivers do not make change, so make sure you have the exact change or buy tickets from ticket machines located at all transit stations.
For more information on schedules and routes check out www.translink.bc.ca

Taxis are easy to find in front of major hotel, but flagging one down can sometimes be tricky. Most drivers are usually on radio calls, there are so many taxis in Vancouver that it is faster to call for one then to actually try to hail on down yourself.

• Yellow Cab – 604.681.1111
• Blacktop – 604.731.1111
• MacLure’s – 604.731.9211

Cab fares start at $2.30 and increase at a rate of $1.25 per kilometer, plus 30 cents per minute at stop lights and sitting in traffic. You shouldn’t pay more then $10 when traveling around downtown Vancouver and the average fare to and from the airport is around $25.

Bike rentals are very easy to find along Robson street and Denman street near Stanley Park. Paved paths crisscross through parks and along beaches through-out the city, and new ones are continuously being added. Helmets are mandatory and you will be fined if you are caught riding without one, it is also illegal to ride on sidewalks unless it is a designated bike path.
You can take your bike free of charge on most of the bus routes in the transit system, but it is best to check this out before hand to make sure the bus you want to take is equipped with a bike carry.

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler

Tsawwassen is approximately 45 minutes from downtown Vancouver and Horseshoe Bay takes about the same amount of tim, but is north of Vancouver.

Schedules are always changing depending on the season, and some routes can get extremely busy, especially during the summer months.

Ferries usually run every 1 to 2 hours depending on the route.
For current schedule information and fares it is best to check out their web site at www.bcferries.bc.ca

I highly recommend making reservations on the more popular routes during the summer months, especially on long weekends. It costs a bit more, but is well worth it!
I have spend many hours in long, hot line-ups wishing I had done the same. It is not uncommon to have to wait one or two sailing to catch your ferry during during these busy times.

Post from: The Vancouver Traveler