Bob Mackin News Reporter bmackin@nsnews.com TO avoid missing the boar, take the bus. That's the message to John Mackintosh and teow SeaBus passengers during the morning and affernoon cOMMules. Customer advisory notices at the Lonsdate Quay terminal remind passengers of alternate methods to cross Burrard Inlet. Namely buses via bridges. “It's obvious that cither the pilots of the SeaBus are retiss- ing to make more mips in a given hour er Translink is using the public, and [mean using, the public, to create a need for more SeaBuses that the public cannot afford,” Mackintosh said. Coast Mountain — Bus Company spokesman Mike Bellavy said 10 to 30: passen- gers have been stranded most weekdays between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and + p.m. to 4:30 p.m. They're forced to wait 15 minutes until the next sailing. Bellavy attributes the pas- senger increase to the number of ESL (English as a second language) summer school students commuting to schools on cither side of the inlet. “We're hoping it will alleviate itself once the summer is over, but we're waiting patiently to see how it all turas out,” Bellavy said. He said Coast Mountain is exploring ways to increase capacity on the Burrard Beaver and Burrard Orter. Maximum passenger load is 400 and more can be accommodated if seating is reconhy- ured. Alterations and additional passenger load require federal government approval. Bellavy said running the 23-year-old vessels ata higher speed is not an option. “As you're talking about engines running at maxi- mum capacity for long durations, you start looking at wear and tear. We have nwo SeaBuses and if one of them goes down, then people are going to be waiting a lot longer.” The SeaBus runs every 15 minutes daily until 6:30 p.m. and during peak weekend hours. ft operates every half hour during other times it's in service. The average speed is 11.5 knots. There is no blanket speed limit in Burrard Inlet. The ideal solution as promoted by North Vancouver District council and others would be the addition ofa third vessel. However, Bellavy said Coast Mountain parent com- pany | TransLink isn’t likely to make such an investment during this decade. Pt rt rrr nnn" -. *. 1 ames $9 4%: The Great Canadian . ! tip @i CHANGE Suice 1978 LTD. $42 OFF potro canada 10W30 Fics axes and emuns hes © With thes Coupon + For most veticies OPEN MOM Bat RG NUCL: WPh VOUST EXPRES AUGUST. 25.7000 t \, Competitors: coupons See eoatht tL Lonsda 30-50% OFF Ctothing, Shoes, Accessories Edgemont Village 986-4893 a ee ee eee SeaBus service falters NEWS photo Paul McGrath SEABUS passenger John Mackintosh says the SeaBus should go faster and make more trips to avoid leaving passengers behind. A PRICE YOU CAN | | 2S » SLEEP ON ——— w G99" ‘he FACTORY FUTON 267 E. Ist. W.Van Entrance in fear lane Mon.~ Sat. 11-Gpm Sunday 12-5 pm 984- © Leather © Log Furniture e ET Centres. ¢ Dining Rooms © Desks * Bookcases © Occasional Tables Plus many more items Heritage Oak & Pine Yine Purnisteings Noni VAN © 984-3255 s) * OPEN 7 Days A WEEK | ° Keith A. Cameron , - Barrister & Solicitor 30 sears experience MORTGAGE INVESTORS Let me help you with your problems. => Business Sales de Purchases > Wills and Estates => Foreclosures Real Estate Matters Free initial consultation in a relaxed Deep Cove atmosphere 929-0998 Apoonnnent scalable eenings & weekends upon requet NIKE Teraz Racing Suit cO% aO Yo OFF REG. PRICE (AS SHOWN) TYR ATZ Suit Zip front, boy leg cut. great for Aquauc Workout, fitness Workout, biking, 30% OFF REG. PRICE FILTER WATER BOTTLES & REPLACEMENT : FILTERS 30% OFF REG. PRICE Check out cur triathlon products = & large selection of kids suits. a TEAM AQUATIC SUPPLIES (WAREHOUSE OUTLET) TOI-1305 Welch St. North Vancouver {just off Pemberton) 980-2805 1985, Does your phone measure up? Nokia 8260 - Latest Style & Design @ Lightweight and compact © Stores up to 250 names & numbers ® internal vibrating alert for discreet calls Available in 3 colours: electric blue, carbon grey & red pepoer = <7} ROGERS: S3anw. “TT MWARELESS OO: www.mywirelesswave.com Park Royal Shopping Centre South Tel. 913-0335 * Available on a new activation of a one year plan from Rogers” AT&Ts with a monthly service fee of $45 or greater. Limited time offer, See in-store for details, Bares “Rogers Communications Inc. Used under ticense. BATT Corp. Used under License.