High Cruise Passenger Volumes Expected on September 19, 2010
Port Metro Vancouver Issues Transportation Alert
VANCOUVER, Sept. 16 /CNW/ - On Sunday, September 19, 2010, cruise passenger volumes at Canada Place and Ballantyne cruise terminals are expected to peak, reaching 16,000 embarking and disembarking passengers between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm that day.
Due to this one day, high volume event, higher than normal vehicle traffic volumes are anticipated in the downtown core, along with increased demand on taxis and the use of public transportation.
In an effort to accommodate the high number of passengers, Port Metro Vancouver is working closely with the cruise lines, the City of Vancouver, Vancouver taxi companies and other transportation service providers to raise awareness about the significantly increased demand.
The high demand for taxis results from the large number of travelers arriving on repositioning cruises, which occur at the beginning and end of the cruise season. In order to minimize congestion, given the significant number of passengers utilizing these facilities, Port Metro Vancouver is advising those going to the terminals to make transportation arrangements in advance, or to consider alternative transportation.
It is also particularly important that arriving passengers do not go to Canada Place or Ballantyne cruise terminals prior to their scheduled embarkation time in order to avoid further congestion while disembarking passengers leave their ships.
Port Metro Vancouver will have additional staff on site at the two cruise terminals to assist with passenger inquiries. The Port's traffic authority staff will also assist with direction of traffic and pedestrian traffic at nearby crossways.
Port Metro Vancouver is Canada's largest and most diversified Port, trading $75 billion in goods annually with more than 160 nations, generating 129,500 jobs nationally. The Cruise industry plays an important role in Metro Vancouver, generating more than $2 million in economic activity for every cruise ship call in Vancouver.
Backgrounder ------------
Transportation Options from Vancouver Cruise Terminals for Sunday, September 19, 2010
SHIPS AT CANADA PLACE (EQUAL SIGN) 4,500 DISEMBARKING PASSENGERS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Est. Arrival - Berth Ship Cruise Line Est. Departure ------------------------------------------------------------------------- East Celebrity Mercury Celebrity 07:00 - 17:00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- North Ryndam Holland America Line 07:00 - 17:00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Statendam Holland America Line 07:00 - 17:00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- East Spirit of Endeavour Cruise West 06:00 - 08:00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
If passengers have not made previous transportation arrangements with their cruise line, the following transportation options are available:
Shuttles to/from Canada Place (prices for a one-way ticket and in Canadian dollars):
Vancouver International Airport & Richmond hotels: $13
For more info & reservations, please visit: www.vancouvershuttle.ca or call 1.888.941.2121 (Toll free)
Bellingham Airport: $28
For more info & reservations, please visit: www.quickcoach.com or call 1.800.665.2122 (Toll free)
SeaTac Airport: $57
For more info & reservations, please visit: www.quickcoach.com or call 1.800.665.2122 (Toll free)
Victoria: $48.72 ($34.72 BC Senior)
For more info & reservations, please visit: www.pacificcoach.com or call 1.800.661.1725 (Toll free)
Vancouver downtown hotels: $10
For more info & reservations, please visit: www.all-terrain.com or call 1.888.754.5601 (Toll free)
Taxis:
Canada Place is serviced by the following Vancouver taxi companies:
- Black Top & Checker Cabs - Tel: 604.681.2181 - Maclure's Cabs (1984) Ltd - Tel: 604.683.6666 - Vancouver Taxi Ltd - Tel: 604.871-1111 - Yellow Cab Co Ltd - 604.681.1111
For a list of estimated taxi fares to various locations, see summary below.
Public Transportation to/from Canada Place:
- Canada Line to Vancouver International Airport and Richmond: 2 zones $3.75 - Skytrain to Vancouver, New Westminster, Surrey, and Burnaby: from 1 to 3 zones $2.50 - $5.00 - For customer information and schedules, please visit: www.translink.ca or call 1.604.953.3333
Passenger Pick-up:
- Private vehicles are not allowed to enter the Porte Cochere area during passenger disembark. Please make previous arrangements to pick up your party at either at P1 or P2 of Canada Place or at a designated meeting place outside Canada Place. - Shuttles, buses, limos and taxis are able to pick up passengers in the Porte Cochere area. ESTIMATED TAXI FARES FROM CANADA PLACE ------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Canada Place TO: Downtown Hotels (range from 3 - 6 blocks) PRICE RANGE: $8 to $10 (tip not included) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hotels Cross Streets ------ ------------- Days Inn Pender St. Pender - Hornby Delta Vancouver Suites Hastings - Seymour Four Seasons Georgia - Howe Hotel Vancouver Burrard - Georgia Hyatt Burrard - Melville Le Soleil Dusmuir - Hornby Marriott Pinnacle Hastings - Thurlow Metropolitan Dunsmuir - Howe Ramada Pender Pender - Homer Renaissance Hastings - Thurlow ------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Canada Place TO: Downtown Hotels (range from 7 - 13 blocks) PRICE RANGE: $10 to $14 (tip not included) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hotels Cross Streets ------ ------------- Quality Hotel Howe - Drake Blue Horizon Robson - Bute Bosmans Howe - Nelson Buchan Haro - Guiford Burrard Motor Hotel Burrard - Helmeken Century Plaza Burrard - Comox Executive Hotel Howe - Pacific Georgian Court Beatty - Robson Greenbrier Robson - Broughton Hamprton Inn & Suites Robson - Beatty Holiday Inn Howe Howe - Helmeken Landmark Robson - Broughton Listel Robson - Jervis Robson Suites Robson - Bidwell Rosedale Hamilton - Robson Sandman Georgia - Cambie Tropicana Robson - Broughton Westin Bayshore Georgia - Cadero Westin Grand Homer - Robson ------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Canada Place TO: Downtown Hotels more than 13 blocks $10 - $15 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- FROM: Canada Place TO: PRICE RANGE: ------------------ --- ------------ Bus Deport $10 - $15 Airport $35 Richmond Hotels $35 - $40 Tsawwassen Ferry $75 Horseshoe Bay Ferry $60 SHIPS AT BALLANTYNE PIER (EQUAL SIGN) EST. 3,700 DISEMBARKING PASSENGERS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Est. Arrival - Berth Ship Cruise Line Est. Departure ------------------------------------------------------------------------- East Norwegian Pearl Norwegian Cruise Line 07:00 -17:00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- North Rotterdam Holland America Line 06:00 -14:00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
If passengers have not made previous transportation arrangements with their cruise line, the following transportation options are available:
Shuttles to/from Ballantyne:
Vancouver International Airport & Richmond hotels: $13
For more info & reservations, please visit: www.vancouvershuttle.ca or call 1.888.941.2121 (Toll free)
Bellingham Airport
For more info & reservations, please visit: www.quickcoach.com or call 1.800.665.2122 (Toll free)
SeaTac Airport
For more info & reservations, please visit: www.quickcoach.com or call 1.800.665.2122 (Toll free)
Victoria
For more info & reservations, please visit: www.pacificcoach.com or call 1.800.661.1725 (Toll free)
Vancouver downtown hotels: $10
For more info & reservations, please visit: www.all-terrain.com or call 1.888.754.5601 (Toll free)
Taxis:
Ballantyne is serviced by the following Vancouver taxi companies:
- Black Top & Checker Cabs - Tel: 604.681.2181 - Maclure's Cabs (1984) Ltd - Tel: 604.683.6666 - Vancouver Taxi Ltd - Tel: 604.871-1111 - Yellow Cab Co Ltd - Tel: 604.681.1111 ESTIMATED TAXI FARES FROM BALLANTYNE FROM: Ballantyne Pier TO: PRICE RANGE: ---------------------- --- ------------ Downtown Hotels $15 - $17 Airport $40 Bus Depot $10 - $15 Metrotown - Burnaby $35 New Westminister $50 UBC - Point Grey $45 US Border - White Rock $100 North Surrey $70 Langley $110
Public Transportation to/from Ballantyne:
- To access the Skytrain and Canada Line, passengers at Ballantyne are able to take the following buses: - 7 Dunbar (Westbound): This bus stops on the corner of Heatley Avenue and Powell Street and can drop off passengers at Pender Street and Richards Street which is one block from the Waterfront Station. The first stop is at 6:30 am with service at this location every 30 minutes. - 4 Blanca (Westbound): This bus stops on the corner of Heatley Avenue and Powell Street and can drop off passengers at Pender Street and Richards Street which is one block from the Waterfront Station. The first stop is at 6:45 am with service at this location every 30 minutes. - To access the Powell/Heatley, bus stop, passengers are required to utilize the stairs located below the overpass and on the South end of Centennial Rd. Passengers are strongly urged to follow directions/instructions given by port or cruise line personnel to ensure safe entry to the overpass. - For more detailed information and specific schedules, please visit: www.translink.ca or call 1.604.953.3333.
Passenger Pick-up:
- Private vehicles and large coach buses must access Ballantyne Pier through Clarke Street. The Heatley Avenue entrance is only available for taxis, limos and designated shuttles.
For further information: Barbara Joy-Kinsella, Port Metro Vancouver, Media Relations, 604-219-8250
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