All aboard!
Hullo, the new high-speed passenger ferry service directly connecting Nanaimo to downtown Vancouver has announced it will launch the service this summer.
Marking the first time this service has been offered in more than 17 years, these new ferries will soon offer guests a quick 70-minute ride to effortlessly travel across the straight.
Leading up to its launch, various construction and site reconfigurations are taking place which include, 400 parking stalls, EV charging stations, connected travel options, a guest welcome centre, and proper traffic and transit flow optimizations.
“The vessels are built and going through rigorous sea trials and the terminal areas are in the process of being upgraded to welcome our guests. Hullo is in ship-shape and almost ready to serve its communities,” says Alastair Caddick, CEO of VIFC.
“We have assembled a passionate and experienced team, recruiting impeccable individuals who will offer BC travelers an enjoyable, reliable, and efficient travel experience to and from the mainland.”
Users of the new service will be able to reserve seats in the tiers of comfort (economy), premium, and business. On board the ships, passengers will have access to a fresh selection of treats and free WiFi.
Hullo’s two new 354-passenger high-speed vessels are currently undergoing final tests and sea trials at the Damen Group facility in Vietnam and will set sail to Vancouver Island next month.
The new ferry service will skip the Tsawwassen to Vancouver commute because the ferry will go from downtown to downtown between the Nanaimo Port Authority Terminal and the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre (at the Vancouver Convention Centre).
According to VIFC, more details about launch plans, sailing schedules, and fare prices will be shared in early 2023.
A similar ferry company called V2V attempted to serve the people of Victoria a downtown to downtown ferry option.
V2V was an Australian-owned company who operated for three years beginning in 2017.
The Australian company’s vessels only had a capacity for 242 passengers, so the new service will be able to accommodate more travellers than their predecessor.
V2V struggled to keep consistent sailings due to its luxurious nature. Ticket prices were too much and people opted to travel with the more affordable BC Ferries instead.
After a few short months of operation, they switched gears in how they provided service to their customers by pivoting from a luxury ferry to be able to accommodate more travellers.
Just prior to the 2020, V2V ceased all operations and left their vessels docked in Victoria’s inner harbour, where they were taken from in January 2023 when they were sold to a Mexican firm who operate ferry services throughout the Caribbean.
With files from Curtis Blandy
