Heli-Jet …

… flies between downtown Vancouver and downtown Victoria.

I gather many passengers are MLAs*, miscellaneous minsters, deputy ministers and the like.
A return trip (35 minutes one way) would cost about $600.00.
The common man gets to the island on BC Ferries.


Not a comparison but an interesting note: a senior taking transit to and from the ferry terminals Monday to Thursday could make the one-way trip for about $4.00. 

* member of the legislative assembly

Waterfront Station

The CP station is smack downtown whereas the CN station is just off Main St. on the edge of downtown. 

As I've mentioned in other posts the train doesn't stop here any more. But this is the terminus for the Expo Line, the West Coast Express and the SeaBus. High fliers can also access the Helijet Port from here. Helijet takes politicians, and normal people who can afford it, from Vancouver to Victoria (B.C.'s capitol) and back. There are occasional deals but a regular fare for the half hour trip is $250.00. One reason I can't afford Helijet is that I have to pay taxes so politicians can take Helijet and won't have to ride the ferry with people like me. 

Contrast Helijet with a B.C. Ferries trip to Victoria. The ferry ride costs about $10.00 as a walk on passenger. Of course you have to get to and from the ferry terminals which are miles out of town on both sides. But it's doable and very economical on public transit. The ferry ride takes about 90 minutes and offers incredible scenery (weather and daylight permitting). Here's the best part, seniors can ride for free as walk-ons Monday to Thursday. I won't be a senior for several years, but once I am I'm going to clean up. 

CP, Canadian Pacific

CN, Canadian National

Architects: Edward and William Maxwell

Completed: 1914

Tomorrow evening I'm off on a train trip to Toronto just for something to do.