This past Tuesday November 4th, upon announcing possible changes of cutting service between Nanaimo and Horseshoe Bay, BC Ferries was met with huge backlash immediately Wednesday morning. A report submitted to the BC Ferries Commisioner titled “Strategies for Enhanced Efficiency in Performance Term Four and Beyond” pointed out the cost savings of re-routing most Nanaimo traffic through the Tsawwassen terminal south of Vancouver, in addition to many other issues of:
•Focusing efficiency plan of the next five years on the Southern Gulf Island routes.
• Reducing the number of Southern Gulf Island routes and having live aboard crew on the new servicing ships.
•Aiming to convert the engines of the Spirit of Vancouver Island and British Columbia to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 2021, saving 50% of the cost spent on diesel, with savings up $45 million by 2020.
• Giving more fare flexibility and access to routes when booked in advance, and considering eliminating reservation fees.
• Digital overhaul by improving its online booking systems and reducing costs on call centre bookings, potentially saving $7 million by 2020.
Primarily, the possible elimination of the Nanaimo route did not sit well with BC Ferries users, and many shared their views on social media as well as flooding the Mayor John Ruttan of Nanaimo will emails and calls. A day later, BC Transportation Minister Todd Stone told reporters that the route would definitely not be cut.
Reading about this on the news reminded me of our business plans and the previous individual assignments where we took the positions of consultants. These fictional assignments has us focusing on the firms, and I realize that I don’t think about the scope of my recommendations, especially on the consumers or clients of the firms. The BC Ferries case reminded me that in the real world, the aftermath of a suggestion can garner attention and backlash from the public, requiring concerns to be addressed.
BC Ferries Vessel, http://www.bcferries.com/at_the_terminal/where-we-sail.html
Works Referenced:
CBC News. “BC Ferries Nanaimo-Horseshoe Bay Route Will Not Be Cut Says Minister – British Columbia – CBC News.” CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 5 Nov. 2014. Web. 8 Nov. 2014. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-ferries-nanaimo-horseshoe-bay-route-will-not-be-cut-says-minister-1.2825374>.
CBC News. “BC Ferries: Nanaimo-Horseshoe Bay Route-cut Proposal Sparks Outrage – British Columbia – CBC News.” CBCnews. CBC/Radio Canada, 5 Nov. 2014. Web. 8 Nov. 2014. <http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-ferries-nanaimo-horseshoe-bay-route-cut-proposal-sparks-outrage-1.2824713>.
Read more on the BC Ferries Report : tp://www.bcferrycommission.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2014-09-30-Efficiency-Plan.pdf