BC Ferries reservation change cuts sales at Horseshoe Bay businesses
A year after BC Ferries made reservations mandatory for vehicles on the Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo route, local restaurants and shops report a drop in customers.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on nsnews.com.
A year after BC Ferries made reservations mandatory for vehicles on the Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo ferry, local businesses say the change has cut the customer flow they depended on for decades, North Shore News reported on November 6, 2026.
Kim Montgomery, manager of Troll's Restaurant, told North Shore News that the restaurant has seen a decrease in sales of "about 30 per cent." Chris Greenfield, owner of the Troller Pub, said ferry traffic accounts for "about 80 per cent" of his business, and that the drop became most visible during the summer months.
What changed
In October 2025, BC Ferries put a reservations-only travel system in place for the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay (Nanaimo) route. Vehicle passengers must book and pay ahead of time, arriving 30 to 60 minutes before their sailing. BC Ferries said the change was needed because construction upgrades at the terminal reduced vehicle holding capacity by 25 percent, North Shore News reported.
The first phase of construction, which removed an elevated holding deck, was finished in the summer of 2026. More work is expected for several years.
Before the change, travellers without bookings could wait in the terminal for the next available sailing, sometimes for two hours or more, and many would visit the shops and restaurants nearby. Ali Beach of Fresh Slice Pizza told North Shore News that now "people have to plan their travel like an airline" and do not have time to walk through the village.
The loss of one pedestrian bridge inside the terminal, and tighter security rules, also make it harder for people waiting in the car lineup to reach the village, according to North Shore News.
The business response
The Horseshoe Bay Business Association is trying to bring new visitors to the village without relying on ferry wait times. Megan Sewell, the association's president, told North Shore News that a summer farmers market this year brought strong attendance. The association is also putting in marine-themed Christmas light displays for the winter. The Troller Pub is adding live music and trivia nights to draw more local customers.
What comes next for Troll's
Troll's Restaurant, which has served Horseshoe Bay for 80 years, plans to close by the end of December 2027 at the latest. West Vancouver council approved plans for a 33-room hotel to be built above commercial space on the same corner, North Shore News reported.
West Vancouver Councillor Linda Watt, who lives in Horseshoe Bay, told North Shore News she expects the changes will be positive once the hotel is built, since the developers are local. But she said the community faces a difficult period ahead: "We're in for a few rocky years here in the village."
Residents who want to support Horseshoe Bay businesses can visit the village for the upcoming Christmas light displays. Those who use the Horseshoe Bay ferry regularly can book vehicle sailings in advance at bcferries.com.
Questions this story answers
What change did BC Ferries make at Horseshoe Bay?
In October 2025, BC Ferries changed the Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo (Departure Bay) route so that all vehicle passengers must have prepaid reservations and must arrive 30 to 60 minutes before their sailing. The corporation says the change was needed because construction upgrades at the terminal reduced vehicle holding capacity by 25 percent, according to North Shore News.
How have Horseshoe Bay businesses been affected?
Kim Montgomery, manager of Troll's Restaurant in Horseshoe Bay, told North Shore News that the restaurant has seen a decrease in sales of about 30 percent. Chris Greenfield, owner of the Troller Pub, said ferry traffic accounts for about 80 percent of his business, and that his pub first noticed the drop in lunch sales before bigger drops came in the summer months.
Why do fewer ferry passengers visit the village now?
With reservations required, travellers arrive at the terminal only 30 to 60 minutes before their sailing, leaving little time to visit shops or restaurants. Ali Beach of Fresh Slice Pizza told North Shore News that people have to plan their travel like an airline booking, leaving no time to browse or shop. The loss of a pedestrian bridge inside the terminal and new security measures also make it harder for waiting passengers to reach the village, North Shore News reported.
What is the Horseshoe Bay Business Association doing?
Megan Sewell, president of the Horseshoe Bay Business Association, told North Shore News that a summer farmers market was well-attended and that the association is investing in large marine-themed Christmas light displays this winter to draw visitors. The association and local businesses are looking for new ways to bring people to the village that do not depend on ferry wait times.
What is happening to Troll's Restaurant?
Troll's Restaurant, which North Shore News says has served Horseshoe Bay for 80 years, plans to close by the end of December 2027 at the latest. West Vancouver council approved plans for a new 33-room hotel to be built above commercial space on the same corner, according to North Shore News.
What does West Vancouver Councillor Linda Watt say about the situation?
Councillor Linda Watt, who lives in Horseshoe Bay, told North Shore News she thinks the changes will be positive in the end, as the hotel developers are local. She said the community is facing a difficult period, with both the ongoing ferry terminal construction and the upcoming hotel construction. Her words were: 'We're in for a few rocky years here in the village.'
How long will the ferry terminal construction continue?
BC Ferries told North Shore News that the first phase of terminal work, which included removing an elevated holding deck for cars, was finished in the summer of 2026. Other parts of the terminal upgrade are expected to continue for several years, and the reservations-only travel system will remain in place during that time.
What can West Vancouver residents do with this information?
Residents who use the Horseshoe Bay ferry regularly can plan to book sailings in advance at bcferries.com. Those who want to support local businesses in Horseshoe Bay can visit the village for the Christmas light displays and events the Business Association is organizing this winter. The page for Councillor Linda Watt at voche.me shows her tracker of promises, including commitments related to West Vancouver's commercial districts.
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