Duke Point in Nanaimo will stage a pilot project for a proposed new ticketing system for major B.C. Ferries terminals.
The company has issued a request for proposals for engineering design services at Duke Point’s ferry terminal. This is for terminal ticketing equipment “where we plan to run a future pilot to test customer acceptance,” said Deborah Marshall, B.C. Ferries spokesperson.
As more information becomes available, more details will be provided, she said.
The Duke Point terminal is about 20 minutes south of Nanaimo. Ferries run between Duke Point and Tsawwassen.
B.C. Ferries earlier issued a request for pre-qualification to build four Island-class vessels, which are hybrid diesel-electric ferries.
It has six Island-class ferries in service now and is seeking more in its move to standardize the fleet.
B.C. Ferries received and has evaluated a number of responses, from Canadian and international shipyards, to the Island-class request.
It is anticipated that qualifying shipyards will be asked for their full proposals later this year, Marshall said.
The Island-class ferries now in service run mainly on diesel fuel because the costly infrastructure needed to charge their batteries has not yet been installed. The company had hoped the federal government would chip in to help with the costs but no funds have been announced to date.
A request for proposals for detailed engineering for electrical charging and related infrastructure at some of its terminals has been issued, closing on April 12.
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