SGI Ferry Community Consultation FeedbackBusiness Results
November/December 2015
Introduction
Research Objectives
The Gulf Island Routes 5 and 9 will be receiving two new ferries in 2017 creating an opportunity to redesign service schedules to be more efficient and to more effectively serve the island residents, property owners and visitors. As a result market research is required at three points in time to provide direction to the redesign of the service schedules.
Community Consultation Feedback: following phase 1 of the research (Needs Assessment Survey), the second phase of research is designed to gather feedback on re-designed ferry schedules from various users of these routes. These users include residents of the Southern Gulf Islands, traveling either between islands or between the islands and mainland, recreational property owners, business owners and non-resident visitors.
This phase of the research was conducted in November and December 2015 with results from the “open link” survey presented in this report.
The final phase will analyze feedback from a Preferred Schedule Survey which will be used to select the final service options, and is planned for Spring 2016.
2
Methodology
During this consultation phase of the research, open houses and other forms of communication were used by BC Ferries to encourage review and feedback of the re-designed schedule options by various types of users of the ferry service. Respondents were provided with an easily accessible web survey link in which they could choose to provide feedback on the schedule or schedules of interest to them.
A total of 690 ferry customers responded, approximately half of whom are full time residents of the Southern Gulf Islands, with the rest comprising recreational property owners, business owners and non-resident visitors.
During the consultation a smaller web survey was conducted amongst a random telephone recruited representative sample of 367 residents from the Southern Gulf Islands. At the data processing stage results of the resident population were weighted back into proportion according to census data.
As part of both the open link and random surveys respondents were given the opportunity to respond from the point of view of a business owner/operator using the service. Results from business users in both surveys have been combined and presented in this report.
Results from non-business users are presented in separate reports.
Summary of Findings
Types of Service Users Responding
During the consultation, approximately 10% of all
respondents completed based on business use with
about nine out of ten businesses based on one of the
Southern Gulf Islands.
The primary business location of respondents includes
36% Pender, 30% Salt Spring, 15% Galiano, 7%
Saturna, 6% Mayne, 4% Metro Vancouver, 2%
Vancouver Island, and the remaining 1% from
elsewhere.
Overall, almost half of businesses responding to the
survey tend to use Swartz Bay terminal most often
(47%) compared with one-in-five that favours
Tsawwassen and one-third that use both equally.
Schedules
Tsawwassen to Southern Gulf Islands
Off-Peak: Opinion is somewhat divided with about one-
third or more satisfied in each case versus one-third
dissatisfied. For about one-in-five opinion is neutral, with
mean satisfaction scores averaging 3 out of 5.
3
Comments: About half comment on ways to improve the
off-peak schedules, most commonly asking for direct
routes to their destination (18%); half chose not to
comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules (49%).
Shoulder: More than four-in-ten satisfied with each
schedule compared with about one-third dissatisfied and
one-in-five neutral. Mean satisfaction scores average 3.1 or
more out of 5.
Comments: One-third comment on ways to improve the
shoulder schedules, most commonly asking for direct
routes to their destination (21%); two-thirds chose not to
comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules (65%).
Peak: Generally satisfied with peak schedules on Monday,
Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, but somewhat divided on
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, though mean scores
average between 3.0 and 3.6 out of 5.
Comments: One-quarter comment on ways to improve
the peak schedules, most commonly suggesting that
weekend schedules are inconvenient (9%) and that there
should be later evening departures on weekdays (9%);
three-quarters chose not to comment, agreeing with the
proposed schedules (75%).
Summary of Findings
Southern Gulf Islands to Tsawwassen
Off-Peak: Opinion is somewhat divided with more than
one-third satisfied with each schedule versus about one-
third dissatisfied. For about one-quarter opinion is neutral,
with mean satisfaction scores averaging 3 out of 5.
Comments: One-quarter comment on ways to improve
the off-peak schedules, most commonly asking for direct
routes to their destination (14%); three-quarters chose not
to comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules.
Shoulder: More than four-in-ten satisfied in each case
compared with about one-third dissatisfied and one-
quarter to one-third neutral. Mean satisfaction scores
average 3.2 or more out of 5.
Comments: One-in-five comment on ways to improve the
shoulder schedules, most commonly asking for direct
routes to their destination (14%); in all, 81% chose not to
comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules.
Peak: Generally satisfied with peak schedules on Monday,
Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but somewhat
divided on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, though mean
scores average 3.2 or more out of 5.
4
Comments: Just 16% comment on ways to improve the
peak schedules, most commonly asking for direct routes to
their destination (7%) and suggesting the evening sailing
is too late (7%); in all, 84% chose not to comment,
agreeing with the proposed schedules.
Swartz Bay to Southern Gulf Islands
Off-Peak: Generally satisfied with all schedules, with
mean scores averaging 3.3 or more out of 5.
Comments: Less than half comment on ways to improve
the off-peak schedules, most commonly requesting
improved transfers and connection times (21%); more
than half chose not to comment, agreeing with the
proposed schedules (54%).
Shoulder: Generally satisfied with all schedules, with
mean scores averaging 3.3 or more out of 5.
Comments: Almost one-third comment on ways to
improve the shoulder schedules, most commonly asking for
direct routes to their destination (13%); more than two-
thirds chose not to comment, agreeing with the proposed
schedules (69%).
Summary of Findings
Peak: Generally satisfied with schedules on Saturday
and Sunday, but somewhat divided on Monday to
Thursday and Friday, though mean scores average 3.1
or more out of 5.
Comments: Less than half comment on ways to
improve the peak schedules, most commonly requesting
improved transfers and connection times (15%); more
than half chose not to comment, agreeing with the
proposed schedules (56%).
Southern Gulf Islands to Swartz Bay
Off-Peak: Generally satisfied with all schedules, with
mean scores averaging 3.6 or more out of 5.
Comments: About one-quarter comment on ways to
improve the off-peak schedules, most commonly asking
for direct routes to their destination (10%) or requesting
improved transfers and connection times (10%); almost
three-quarters chose not to comment, agreeing with the
proposed schedules (72%).
Shoulder: Generally satisfied with all schedules, with
mean scores averaging 3.4 or more out of 5.
5
Comments: One-in-five comment on ways to improve
the peak schedules, most commonly requesting improved
transfers and connection times (8%); eight-in-ten chose
not to comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules
(80%).
Peak: Generally satisfied with all schedules, with mean
scores averaging 3.3 or more out of 5.
Comments: More than one-quarter comment on ways to
improve the schedules, most commonly requesting
improved transfers and connection times (15%); more
than two-thirds chose not to comment, agreeing with the
proposed schedules (71%).
Inter-Island Travel
Overall, more than four-in-ten businesses owners or
operators spend time traveling between islands (42%).
The large majority of those that travel inter-island return
to their business on the same day (80%).
Summary of Findings
6
Three-quarters that travel inter-island do so once per
month or more during the off-peak travel season, with
frequency increasing to 87% traveling once a month or
more during the shoulder season and 84% during the peak
season.
One-quarter travel once per week or more during the off-
peak travel season compared with 38% doing so during
the shoulder season and 36% during the peak season.
Off-Peak Arrivals: More than three-quarters chose not to
comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules (78%).
Off-Peak Departures: Almost three-quarters chose not
to comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules (73%).
Shoulder Arrivals: More than eight-in-ten chose not to
comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules (84%).
Shoulder Departures: More than eight-in-ten chose not
to comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules (84%).
Peak Arrivals: Two-thirds chose not to comment,
agreeing with the proposed schedules (67%).
Peak Departures: Almost two-thirds chose not to
comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules (64%).
7
Summary of Mean Satisfaction Scores
Season TSA to SGI SGI to TSA SWB to SGI SGI to SWB
Off-Peak 3.0 3.1 3.5 3.7
Shoulder 3.2 3.4 3.4 3.5
Peak 3.4 3.6 3.4 3.4
Summary of Mean Satisfaction Scores
8
Detailed Findings
9
Respondent Types
• The large majority of those business owners and operators responding to the survey are based on one of the Southern Gulf Islands, with fewer than one-in-ten from Vancouver Island or the Lower Mainland.
Southern Gulf Island Residents and Visitors
Total(107)
%
Salt SpringIsland(35)%
PenderIsland(42)%
MayneIsland(7*)%
GalianoIsland(16*)
%
SaturnaIsland(7*)%
Business or Organization Located on one of the Southern Gulf Islands
93 91 93 86 100 100
Business or Organization Located on Vancouver Island or Metro Vancouver
7 9 7 14 - -
Q.1) Which of the following best describes you?
*Interpret with caution – small base sizes
10
Major Terminal Travel to/from Most Frequently
47% 20% 34%
Swartz Bay (Victoria) Tsawwassen (Vancouver) Both
Total
Base: Total businesses (n=107)
Q.2) What major terminal do you travel from most frequently?
• Overall, almost half of businesses responding to the survey tend to use Swartz Bay terminal most often compared with one-in-five that favours Tsawwassen and one-third that use both equally.
11
Primary Business Location
36%
30%
15%
7%
6%
4%
2%
1%
Base: Total residents and visitors (n=107)
Q.3) Where is your business or organization based?
• The majority of respondents that own or operate businesses in the Southern Gulf Islands are based on either Pender Island or Salt Spring Island.
Pender Island
Salt Spring Island
Galiano Island
Saturna Island
Mayne Island
Metro Vancouver
Vancouver Island
Elsewhere
Southern Gulf Islands
Elsewhere
12
Tsawwassen to Southern Gulf Islands
21%
19%
18%
18%
21%
23%
19%
21%
28%
19%
19%
23%
23%
21%
21%
18%
23%
21%
25%
28%
25%
28%
20%
21%
26%
26%
23%
19%
25%
19%
25%
18%
21%
18%
21%
26%
21%
28%
25%
14%
7%
14%
18%
12%
4
11%
14%
7%
13%
7%
7%
11%
21%
28%
19%
16%
21%
28%
16%
18%
12%
17%
26%
9%
7%
5
7%
7%
4
5
5
4
6
5
7%
9%
Monday to Thursday (n=57)
Friday (n=57)
Saturday (n=57)
Sunday (n=57)
Monday to Thursday (n=57)
Friday (n=57)
Saturday (n=57)
Sunday (n=57)
Monday to/and Thursday (n=57)
Tuesday and Wednesday (n=54)
Friday (n=57)
Saturday (n=57)
Sunday (n=57)
5 Very satisfied 4 3 2 1 Very dissatisfied Not stated
Shoulder
Q.5) On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being very dissatisfied and 5 being very satisfied), how satisfied are you with the proposed off-peak/shoulder/peak sailing opportunities on…
• Off-Peak: Opinion is somewhat divided on the off-peak schedules with about one-third or more satisfied in each case versus a similar proportion dissatisfied. For about one-in-five opinion is neutral, with mean satisfaction scores averaging 3 out of 5.
• Shoulder: Respondents are somewhat more satisfied with the shoulder schedules with more than four-in-ten satisfied in each case, compared with about one-third dissatisfied and one-in-five neutral. Mean satisfaction scores average 3.1 or more out of 5.
• Peak: Respondents are generally satisfied with peak schedules on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, but somewhat divided on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, though mean scores average 3 or more out of 5.
Peak
Off-Peak42% 3.1
40% 3.0
35% 3.0
40% 3.1
42% 3.1
47% 3.1
47% 3.3
46% 3.2
56% 3.6
39% 3.1
40% 3.0
49% 3.5
49% 3.5
Total Satisfied
MeanSatisfaction
13
• About half of all business users of this service comment on ways to improve the off-peak schedules, most commonly suggesting inter-island travel is made difficult due to the low trip frequency (18%), asking for direct routes to their destination (16%) or suggesting that weekend schedules are inconvenient (14%). Half chose not to comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules.
• About one-third of business users comment on ways to improve the shoulder schedules, most commonly asking for direct routes to their destination (21%), suggesting inter-island travel is made difficult due to the low trip frequency (11%), or that weekend schedules are inconvenient (11%). Two-thirds chose not to comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules.
• One-quarter of business users comment on ways to improve the peak schedules, most commonly suggesting that weekend schedules are inconvenient (9%) or that there should be later evening departures Monday to Friday (9%). Three-quarters chose not to comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules.
Comments Regarding TSA to SGI Schedules
SGI Businesses that use Tsawwassen
Off-Peak(57)%
Shoulder(57)%
Peak(57)%
Gaps too long between sailings/ increase trip frequency/ makes inter island trips difficult
18 11 5
Need direct routes/ no transfers/ no multi-island stops 16 21 5
Weekend schedules are inconvenient 14 11 9
Improve transfers/ connection times/ through fare should have assured boarding
11 4 4
Monday to Friday should have later evening departures 9 4 9
Later morning departures/ first sailing is too early 5 - 2
Monday to Friday should have earlier morning departures 5 2 2
Evening sailing is too late 5 7 2
Earlier weekend morning departures 4 4 -
Offer more mid-day/ mid-afternoon sailings 2 2 -
Later weekend evening departures - - 4
No comments – I agree with the schedules proposed 49 65 75
Q.6) Please provide any comments on how to improve these schedules.
14
21%
16%
14%
14%
23%
25%
19%
23%
32%
22%
37%
30%
35%
21%
23%
26%
21%
18%
25%
23%
26%
23%
22%
23%
30%
32%
30%
25%
28%
26%
30%
26%
32%
25%
25%
17%
16%
18%
11%
9%
12%
14%
12%
9%
4
7%
7%
10%
15%
5
5
5
18%
23%
14%
21%
18%
14%
9%
12%
5
17%
12%
11%
7%
2
2
4
5
4
7%
11%
7%
5
7%
7%
7%
11%
Monday to Thursday (n=57)
Friday (n=57)
Saturday (n=57)
Sunday (n=57)
Monday to Thursday (n=57)
Friday (n=57)
Saturday (n=57)
Sunday (n=57)
Monday to/and Thursday (n=57)
Tuesday and Wednesday (n=41)
Friday (n=57)
Saturday (n=57)
Sunday (n=57)
5 Very satisfied 4 3 2 1 Very dissatisfied Not stated
Shoulder
Q.7) On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being very dissatisfied and 5 being very satisfied), how satisfied are you with the proposed off-peak/shoulder/peak sailing opportunities on…
Peak
Off-Peak42% 3.2
39% 3.0
40% 3.1
35% 2.9
40% 3.2
49% 3.5
42% 3.4
49% 3.4
55% 3.7
44% 3.2
60% 3.7
60% 3.7
67% 3.9
Total Satisfied
MeanSatisfaction
Southern Gulf Islands to Tsawwassen
• Off-Peak: Opinion is somewhat divide on the off-peak schedules with more than one-third satisfied in each case versus about one-third dissatisfied. For one-quarter or more opinion is neutral, with mean satisfaction scores averaging about 3 out of 5.
• Shoulder: Respondents are generally satisfied with the shoulder schedules with more than four-in-ten satisfied in each case compared with about one-in-five dissatisfied and one-quarter to one-third neutral. Mean satisfaction scores average 3.2 or more out of 5.
• Peak: Respondents are generally satisfied with peak schedules on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, but somewhat divided on Tuesday, Wednesday, though mean scores average 3.2 or more out of 5.
15
Comments Regarding SGI to TSA Schedules
SGI Businesses that use Tsawwassen
Off-Peak(57)%
Shoulder(57)%
Peak(57)%
Need direct routes/ no transfers/ no multi-island stops 14 14 7
Earlier weekend morning departures 5 2 2
Monday to Friday should have later evening departures 5 4 -
Improve transfers/ connection times/ through fare should have assured boarding
5 2 2
Gaps too long between sailings/ increase trip frequency/ makes inter island trips difficult
4 4 2
Later morning departures/ first sailing is too early 2 - 2
Later weekend evening departures 2 4 2
Offer more mid-day/ mid-afternoon sailings 2 - -
Evening sailing is too late 2 2 7
Weekend schedules are inconvenient 2 4 5
Monday to Friday should have earlier morning departures - 2 -
No comments – I agree with the schedules proposed 75 81 84
Q.8) Please provide any comments on how to improve these schedules.
• One-quarter of business users of this service comment on ways to improve the off-peak schedules, most commonly asking for direct routes to their destination (14%).
• About one-in-five business users comment on ways to improve the shoulder schedules, most commonly asking for direct routes to their destination (14%).
• Just 16% of business users comment on ways to improve the peak schedules, most commonly asking for direct routes to their destination (7%) or suggesting the evening sailing is too late (7%).
• Overall, three-quarters or more chose not to comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules.
16
23%
21%
26%
21%
18%
18%
26%
21%
21%
15%
21%
26%
26%
30%
30%
28%
28%
28%
26%
31%
28%
30%
33%
31%
23%
20%
20%
25%
21%
18%
18%
21%
18%
18%
18%
18%
10%
13%
8%
8%
12%
15%
10%
3
12%
10%
8%
8%
15%
12%
8%
10%
15%
10%
7%
13%
18%
21%
10%
10%
3
5
8%
8%
7%
12%
13%
10%
3
7%
10%
7%
Monday to Thursday (n=61)
Friday (n=61)
Saturday (n=61)
Sunday (n=61)
Monday to Thursday (n=61)
Friday (n=61)
Saturday (n=61)
Sunday (n=61)
Monday to Thursday (n=61)
Friday (n=61)
Saturday (n=61)
Sunday (n=61)
5 Very satisfied 4 3 2 1 Very dissatisfied Not stated
Shoulder
Q.9) On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being very dissatisfied and 5 being very satisfied), how satisfied are you with the proposed off-peak/shoulder/peak sailing opportunities on…
Peak
Off-Peak49% 3.3
51% 3.4
56% 3.6
49% 3.5
46% 3.3
46% 3.3
53% 3.6
53% 3.5
49% 3.2
44% 3.1
54% 3.5
57% 3.6
Total Satisfied
MeanSatisfaction
Swartz Bay to Southern Gulf Islands
• Off-Peak: Respondents are generally satisfied with the off-peak schedules, with mean satisfaction scores averaging 3.3 or more out of 5.
• Shoulder: Respondents are generally satisfied with the shoulder schedules, with mean satisfaction scores averaging 3.3 or more out of 5.
• Peak: Respondents are generally satisfied with peak schedules on Saturday and Sunday, but somewhat divided on Monday to Thursday and Friday, though mean scores average 3.1 or more out of 5.
17
Comments Regarding SWB to SGI Schedules
SGI Businesses that use SwartzBay
Off-Peak(61)%
Shoulder(61)%
Peak(61)%
Improve transfers/ connection times/ through fare should have assured boarding
21 8 15
Need direct routes/ no transfers/ no multi-island stops 13 13 13
Monday to Friday should have later evening departures 13 7 13
Offer more mid-day/ mid-afternoon sailings 8 5 5
Gaps too long between sailings/ increase trip frequency/ makes inter island trips difficult
8 7 7
Later weekend evening departures 8 2 10
Later morning departures/ first sailing is too early 3 - -
Weekend schedules are inconvenient 3 5 3
Evening sailing is too late 2 2 3
Monday to Friday should have earlier morning departures 2 - -
No comments – I agree with the schedules proposed 54 69 56
Q.10) Please provide any comments on how to improve these schedules.
• Less than half of all business users of this service comment on ways to improve the off-peak schedules, most commonly requesting improved transfers and connection times (21%), asking for direct routes to their destination (13%) or suggesting later evening departures on weekdays (13%). More than half chose not to comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules.
• Almost one-third of business users comment on ways to improve the shoulder schedules, most commonly asking for direct routes to their destination (13%). More than two-thirds chose not to comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules.
• Less than half of all business users comment on ways to improve the peak schedules, most commonly requesting improved transfers and connection times (15%), asking for direct routes to their destination (13%) or suggesting later evening departures on weekdays (13%). More than half chose not to comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules.
18
23%
31%
25%
33%
23%
28%
21%
31%
21%
20%
26%
25%
30%
33%
30%
30%
25%
26%
26%
26%
26%
25%
23%
31%
23%
28%
26%
25%
26%
26%
23%
21%
23%
21%
23%
21%
20%
18%
18%
7%
3
7%
7%
10%
7%
10%
8%
15%
12%
5
10%
7%
8%
3
7%
2
13%
8%
12%
7%
13%
10%
12%
16%
12%
3
8%
7%
8%
5
10%
8%
7%
3
15%
7%
8%
7%
Monday to Thursday (n=61)
Friday (n=61)
Saturday (n=61)
Sunday (n=61)
Monday to Thursday (n=61)
Friday (n=61)
Saturday (n=61)
Sunday (n=61)
Monday to Thursday (n=61)
Tuesday and Wednesday (n=61)
Friday (n=61)
Saturday (n=61)
Sunday (n=61)
5 Very satisfied 4 3 2 1 Very dissatisfied Not stated
Shoulder
Q.11) On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 being very dissatisfied and 5 being very satisfied), how satisfied are you with the proposed off-peak/shoulder/peak sailing opportunities on…
Peak
Off-Peak56% 3.6
61% 3.9
54% 3.6
57% 3.9
49% 3.4
54% 3.7
48% 3.4
57% 3.7
46% 3.3
43% 3.4
57% 3.6
48% 3.3
57% 3.6
Total Satisfied
MeanSatisfaction
Southern Gulf Islands to Swartz Bay
• Off-Peak: Respondents are generally satisfied with the off-peak schedules, with mean satisfaction scores averaging 3.6 or more out of 5.
• Shoulder: Respondents are generally satisfied with the shoulder schedules, with mean satisfaction scores averaging 3.4 or more out of 5.
• Peak: Respondents are generally satisfied with peak schedules, with mean scores averaging 3.3 or more out of 5.
19
Comments Regarding SGI to SWB Schedules
SGI Businesses that use Swartz Bay
Off-Peak(61)%
Shoulder(61)%
Peak(61)%
Need direct routes/ no transfers/ no multi-island stops 10 5 13
Improve transfers/ connection times/ through fare should have assured boarding
10 8 15
Weekend schedules are inconvenient 7 3 2
Earlier weekend morning departures 5 5 7
Offer more mid-day/ mid-afternoon sailings 3 5 -
Monday to Friday should have later evening departures 3 - 3
Gaps too long between sailings/ increase trip frequency/ makes inter island trips difficult
3 5 5
Evening sailing is too late 2 - -
Monday to Friday should have earlier morning departures 2 5 7
Later weekend evening departures - 2 3
No comments – I agree with the schedules proposed 72 80 71
Q.12) Please provide any comments on how to improve these schedules.
• About one-quarter of business users of this service comment on ways to improve the off-peak schedules, most commonly asking for direct routes to their destination (10%) or requesting improved transfers and connection times (10%).
• One-in-five business users comment on ways to improve the shoulder schedules, most commonly requesting improved transfers and connection times (8%).
• More than one-quarter of business users comment on ways to improve the peak schedules, most commonly requesting improved transfers and connection times (15%), or asking for direct routes to their destination (13%).
• More than two-thirds overall chose not to comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules.
20
• Overall, more than four-in-ten businesses owners or operators spend time traveling between islands (42%).
Travel Between the Southern Gulf Islands
42% 58%
Yes No
Total
Base: Total businesses (n=107)
Q.29a) Do you travel between the Southern Gulf Islands
21
• The large majority of those that travel inter-island return to their business on the same day (80%).
Same Day Return Trip to other Southern Gulf Islands
80% 20%
Yes No
Total
Base: Businesses who travel between the SGITotal (n=45)
Q.29b) Is your return trip generally the same day?
9%
9%
18%
22%
27%
16%
7%
9%
22%
24%
24%
13%
4%
9%
13%
27%
20%
27%
More than 3 times per week
2-3 times per week
1 time per week
2-3 times per month
1 time per month
Less than once per month
22
Frequency of Inter-Island Travel Total Businesses
Base: Businesses that travel inter island (n=45)
Q.30) How frequently do you travel inter-island?
PeakJuly & August
Shoulder May – June /
September – OctoberOff-Peak
November – April
• Overall, about three-quarters of those that stated they travel inter-island, do so once per month or more during the off-peak travel season, with frequency increasing somewhat during the shoulder and peak seasons.
• One-quarter travel once per week or more during the off-peak season increasing to more than one-third during the shoulder and peak seasons.
• Off-peak: 73% travel once a month or more and 26% travel once a week or more.
• Shoulder: 87% travel once a month or more and 38% travel once a week or more.
• Peak: 84% travel once a month or more and 36% travel once a week or more.
23
Comments Regarding SGI Arrival & Departure Schedules
Off-Peak Shoulder Peak
Arrivals(45)%
Departures(40)%
Arrivals(45)%
Departures(45)%
Arrivals(45)%
Departures(45)%
Gaps are too long between sailings/ increase trip frequency/ makes inter-island day trips difficult
20 20 16 11 29 24
Monday to Friday should have later evening departures 7 - - - 4 2
Weekend schedules are inconvenient 7 18 9 4 11 4
Need direct routes/ no transfers/ no multi-island stops 7 8 4 - 9 9
Later weekend evening departures 4 - 2 2 - -
Later morning departures/ first sailing is too early 4 - - - - -
Earlier weekend morning departures 2 3 - 2 - 2
Improve transfers/ connection times/ through fare should have assured boarding
2 8 - 4 4 7
Evening sailing is too late - 3 2 - - 4
Monday to Friday should have earlier morning departures - 3 - 2 2 7
Offer more mid-day/ mid-afternoon sailings - - - - 2 2
No comments – I agree with the schedules proposed 78 73 84 84 67 64
Q.31a – 33b) Please provide any comments on how to improve these schedules
• Between one-quarter and one-third of those that travel inter-island comment on ways to improve the schedules, most commonly suggesting that inter-island travel is made difficult due to the low trip frequency.
• Other comments of note include those that suggest the weekend schedules are inconvenient and asking for direct routes to their destination.
• Two-thirds or more chose not to comment, agreeing with the proposed schedules.
Demographics
25
• Respondent samples in this data set are a blend of results from those in the open link survey and random survey that answered based on business use.
• Those from the random survey were self identified as businesses and those from the open link are self-selected.
• As an uncontrolled sample they cannot be linked to any known population data and therefore remain unweighted.
Demographic Profile
Total(107)
%
Occupation
Employed 96
Small business owner 53
Self-employed 43
Employed full-time (30 hours or more per week) 26
Employed part-time (<30 hours per week) 7
Prefer not too say 4
General Purpose of Travel
Business trip 35
Work commute 29
Personal business 10
Tourism 5
Appointment 2
Shopping 1
Visit friends / family 1
Other 18
Method of Boarding
Private vehicle (car, truck, SUV, van, motorcycle, etc.) 78
Commercial Vehicle (straight truck/tractor trailer) 16
Walk-on 7
continued
26
Demographic Profile (cont’d)
Total(107)
%
Gender
Male 51
Female 42
Not Stated 7
Age Group
18-24 years -
25-34 years 5
35-44 years 7
45-54 years 24
55-64 years 38
65-75 years 18
75+ years 2
Not Stated 7