In 1961, the provincial government purchased the various Black Ball operations.[6] In the late 1960s, the terminal was reconstructed and expanded.[7][8] In 1976, a new upper deck loading ramp was built.[9]
In 2002, substantial improvements were completed at a cost of $39 million, which primarily addressed traffic awaiting embarkation on ferries. Holding stalls increased from 650 to 1,265 by absorbing former highway, removing a freeway bridge and truck runaway lane, and reconfiguring a highway interchange. Additional construction included a 450-car underground parkade and new buildings for foot passengers, amenities and maintenance.[10] A $250 million upgrade of the terminal is planned for the 2020s.[11]
On March 28, 2022, the first seismic sensor for British Columbia'searthquake early warning system was installed at the Horseshoe Bay terminal.[12]
Ferry rides from Horseshoe Bay are described by fictional characters in the novelThe Cat's Table, byBooker Prize-winning authorMichael Ondaatje, and in the short storyWhat is Remembered, byNobel Prize-winning authorAlice Munro.
1985: Three occupants were killed whenQueen of Cowichan ran over a pleasure boat near the terminal.[15]
1989: A structural steel load on an arriving truck shifted, striking seven parked vehicles and injuring two women in the holding lot.[16]
1990: After brakes failed, a loaded truck struck a parked van and spilled hot asphalt, killing two of the occupants and injuring others.[17] The truck driver received an 18-month sentence, increased to five years on appeal.[18] At a new trial, the driver was found guilty of dangerous driving but not criminal negligence.[19]
1991: Robbers stole $12,000 in coin from a safe at the terminal.[20]
2005:Queen of Oak Bay lost control and smashed into a number of private boats at the marina in Horseshoe Bay; no fatalities were reported.[22]
2019: A crew member was significantly injured after being hit by theQueen of Cowichan's bow door, which was having trouble opening at the terminal.[23]
2022: A minor rock slide on January 2 closed the parkade for rock removal and structural repairs. The parkade was re-opened on May 18, 2022.[24][25]
^Figures obtained for 2023 & 2024 from adding the passengers counted at Horseshoe Bay from the routes 2, 3, and8 in each month of thecalendar year.[1] The figures under "Total Prev Year" are not used because those denotefiscal years instead of calendar years. The total passenger count at Horseshoe Bay for 2023 was 3 514 666.
0.78%
