Free, on-demand year-round passenger and vehicle ferry between Barnston Island and Port Kells, Surrey.
The provincial ferry crosses Parsons Channel between the north bank at Barnston Island and Port Kells at the south bank in northeast Surrey. It runs on demand: Monday–Thursday 6:15 a.m.–11:55 p.m.; Friday–Sunday 6:15 a.m.–12:55 a.m. Crossing time is about five minutes. Capacity is up to five vehicles and 52 passengers, subject to vessel load limits; trucks over 20,000 kg GVW travel separately. Service can be interrupted when river traffic warrants. All inland ferries are free to users. Operator contact: Western Pacific Marine, 604-328-0406.
Coordinates emergency social services for Barnston Island residents displaced by flooding.
In a flood response, Metro Vancouver coordinates any required Emergency Social Services response for displaced Barnston Island residents with the City of Surrey, which serves as host community for evacuees. This is emergency-event coordination, not routine social-service intake. The plan says Katzie First Nation will be invited to coordinate or integrate response on Barnston Island IR#3, and that emergency declarations do not apply to First Nations lands.
Two small riverfront conservation and recreation sites at Robert Point and Mann Point.
Barnston Island Regional Park comprises Robert Point Rest Area on the western tip (about 12 hectares) and Mann Point on the eastern end (about 16 hectares). Visitors can walk, cycle at Robert Point, picnic, view the Fraser River and fish with a federal tidal fishing licence. Robert Point trails, toilets and picnic tables are wheelchair accessible. Mann Point has no facilities. There is no public drinking water on Barnston Island; bring water. Dogs must be leashed and controlled. Camping, fires, liquor and smoking are prohibited; swimming is not recommended because of swift currents and changing water quality. Keep off log booms and stay off shorelines while cycling. The park opens at 7:00 a.m.; posted closing varies, with earliest closing at 5:00 p.m. No parking is allowed on the road adjacent to the park. Special-use permits for vehicle access to transport picnic/event equipment: 604-432-6359. Park conditions: 604-530-4983. Current park page: https://metrovancouver.org/services/regional-parks/park/barnston-island-regional-park.
School District 36 asks Barnston Island resident families to contact Transportation about student busing.
School District No. 36 (Surrey) provides student busing subject to registration, eligibility and seat availability. The district specifically asks families whose student resides on Barnston Island to contact Transportation for further information. The public page does not publish an island route, stops, schedule, school assignment or fare; confirm these details directly. Transportation email: FACL-Transportation-Mail@surreyschools.ca; phone 604-572-0500.
911 fire and emergency response agreement for Barnston Island (Katzie) Indian Reserve No. 3.
The City of Surrey, through Surrey Fire Service, provides emergency 9-1-1 fire-service response to Barnston Island (Katzie) Indian Reserve No. 3 under its agreement with Katzie First Nation. The agreement’s initial term runs to June 8, 2027 and automatically renews for 12 months at a time unless terminated. It covers many incident types, including structure, brush and vehicle fires, medical emergencies, motor-vehicle incidents and technical rescue. Access and response times depend on the ferry schedule, vessel capacity, water supply and accurate addressing. Fire suppression on the reserve is not a routine service to all island properties: the agreement is specific to the reserve. Wildfire suppression remains the responsibility of BC Wildfire Service; Surrey Fire Service investigates reports and only suppresses wildfires on the reserve when requested by the provincial Office of the Fire Commissioner. Fire on the Fraser River or over-water structures is not covered by this service. Katzie First Nation is billed per occurrence for the City’s costs. For an emergency call 9-1-1.