For Immediate Release
23-041
November 28, 2023

SECOND SURVEY SEEKS DETAILED INPUT ON BUFFET REPLACEMENT

Victoria – BC Ferries is taking a deeper dive into what kind of food and beverage outlet could replace the former Pacific Buffet.

Back in June, over 10,000 people responded to an initial survey which asked customers what they wanted to see in the future. Overall, respondents said they wanted a space that was special and distinct from the Seawest Lounge and cafeteria spaces offered on the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) to Victoria (Swartz Bay) route.

Specific feedback included:

• creation of a new dining amenity instead of another use of the space;
• comfortable seats and a view not offered in other parts of the vessel;
• high quality food options including plated entrees, desserts and artisan foods.

The second survey is designed to further understand customers’ interests in menu items as well as pricing format. The survey will be open for two weeks.

In the meantime, food and beverage services remain available in the Coastal Café, Seawest Lounge and Arbutus Coffee Bar.

In the last year the Pacific Buffet operated, it attracted less than nine per cent of the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route’s 4.87 million passengers and lost approximately $1.2 million annually.

The online survey is open at ferryfeedback.ca/newamenity.