Hullo Celebrates Two Years of Connecting Coasts, Fueled by 40% Year-Over-Year Growth in Passengers
Hullo's mission from day one was to simplify travel, save people time, and give them the freedom to enjoy both sides of the coast. "Every day, we see how we're helping people see family and friends more often and have new adventures," says Sekhar Angepat, Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Hullo. "Our goal wasn't to simply redistribute travellers from traditional services, but to grow the entire travel market. By creating new possibilities like same-day event trips, we're enabling journeys that people simply weren't making before. The stories we hear from our passengers confirm we're on the right track."
The service has unlocked a variety of travel possibilities, changing the way people think about crossing the Strait. For eventgoers, Hullo has become a game-changer. With over 170 late-night event sailings to date, individuals can now catch their favourite sports teams and concerts in the city and travel back in comfort the same night, saving on costly hotel stays.
Hullo's downtown-to-downtown connectivity has opened up new possibilities for a wide range of British Columbians. It has become a vital new option for over 50,000 families, enabling spontaneous, same-day adventures and making it even easier to connect with loved ones more frequently.
This accessibility is also a key benefit for seniors seeking a seamless travel option and for hybrid workers who now have the freedom of island life with a fast, affordable link to their downtown offices. Furthermore, by integrating with local transit and TransLink, Hullo helps all riders reach their final destinations, including Vancouver International Airport (YVR), without the expense and hassle of a personal vehicle. Arriving in Nanaimo is just as easy, with on-site access to public transit, a complimentary Hullo shuttle bus, rental cars, bike share, and ride-hailing services like Uber now available.
"The stories we hear from our passengers are the true measure of our success," says Ryan Dermody, Interim CEO. "When we hear about a grandmother being able to take her grandkids to the aquarium for a quick day trip, or professionals redefining their work week, we know we're making a real difference in people's lives every day. We're incredibly proud of the role we play in connecting communities and are more committed than ever to improving and expanding our service."
Two years in, Hullo's reliability is clear. Since launch, the company has operated more than 95% of its planned sailings, and since September 2024, 90% of departures have gone out within 5 minutes. The company is building on this momentum as it continues to refine its operations for customers.
Hullo is a modern, fast-ferry service providing a crucial link between Downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo. With a focus on speed, comfort, and reliability, Hullo is committed to transforming the way people travel across the Salish Sea.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Cision Canada
16 hours ago
- Cision Canada
Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge Operations Remain Suspended Pending Outcome of CIRB Process
Rolling cancellations now extend to the afternoon of August 17, 2025 MONTRÉAL, August 16, 2025 /CNW/ - Air Canada today said all flights of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge remain suspended pending the outcome of a Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) process related to a directive by the Government of Canada ordering binding arbitration in the company's contract negotiations with its flight attendants. Customers whose flights are cancelled are being notified of the cancellations and offered options that include a full refund, a future travel credit or rebooking on another airline. Those whose flights are cancelled are strongly advised not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking on a flight by another carrier. In response to a labour disruption by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) that led to a strike on August 16, Air Canada has been cancelling flights on a rolling basis. At present, all flights by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge are cancelled until the afternoon (EDT) of August 17, 2025. Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz or PAL continue to operate as normal. Air Canada deeply regrets the disruption's impact on customers. Additional customer information, including an FAQ, is available Air Canada is Canada's largest airline, the country's flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada's Aeroplan program is Canada's premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world's largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers more travel choices than any other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations worldwide, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, day tours, and car rentals. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada's passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada's climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada's TCFD disclosure. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX in Canada and the OTCQX in the US. Media Resources: Photos Videos B-Roll Articles SOURCE Air Canada
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Cision Canada
Statement from Minister Hajdu Français
GATINEAU, QC, Aug. 16, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, issued the following statement regarding the collective bargaining negotiations between Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE): "After eight months of negotiations by the parties, and after meeting with both parties last night and urging them to work hard to reach a deal, it is disappointing to have to conclude today that Air Canada and CUPE flight attendants are at an impasse and remain unable to resolve their dispute. The government firmly believes that the best deals are reached by the parties at the bargaining table. It has now become clear that this dispute won't be resolved at the table. Canadians are increasingly finding themselves in very difficult situations and the strike is rapidly impacting the Canadian economy. Flight attendants play a critical role in keeping Canadian families and workers safe as they travel. It is important that they be compensated fairly at all times. The enormous impact of a nationwide labour disruption of this scale is already being felt by Canadians and visitors to our country. This impact will grow significantly with a prolonged dispute. This nationwide labour disruption is impeding the movement of passengers and critical cargo. In a year in which Canadian families and businesses have already experienced too much disruption and uncertainty, this is not the time to add additional challenges and disruptions to their lives and our economy. Canadians rely on air travel to connect families, workers, and communities to each other and the world. Despite significant supports from the government, these parties have been unable to resolve their differences in a timely manner. The government must act to preserve stability and supply chains in this unique and uncertain economic context. That is why I exercised my authorities under section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to direct the Canada Industrial Relations Board to arbitrate this dispute. I am exercising this authority because it is critical to maintaining and securing industrial peace, protecting Canadians and promoting conditions to resolve the dispute. Despite the parties' resolution of several key differences, the CIRB is best positioned to help them find a solution on the outstanding items. Accordingly, I have asked the Board to assist the parties in reaching a settlement of the outstanding terms of their collective agreement by imposing final and binding arbitration and to extend the terms of the existing collective agreement until a new one is determined by the arbitrator. This decision will help make sure that hundreds of thousands of Canadians and visitors to our country are not impacted because of cancelled flights. Further, the shipments of critical goods such as pharmaceuticals and organ tissue, over 40% of which are moved by Air Canada, should continue to reach their destinations. Once again, I urge the parties to work towards a fair and timely resolution."
Cision Canada
a day ago
- Cision Canada
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence begins new academic year with largest-ever cohort of 400+ students
ABU DHABI,UAE, Aug. 16, 2025 /CNW/ -- Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI) has welcomed its largest cohort for its Fall 2025 intake, enrolling 403 new students. This includes its inaugural undergraduate class, new graduate cohorts in existing programmes in Computer Science, Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing, and Robotics, and the first intakes into the Master of Science in Statistics & Data Science and Master in Applied Artificial Intelligence. This semester received more than 8,000 applications across the university's Bachelor and graduate programmes, yielding an acceptance rate of 5 per cent, and reinforcing the university's prestigious position and ability to attract the best talent in the UAE and from around the world. Timothy Baldwin, MBZUAI Provost and Professor of Natural Language Processing, said: "This year, MBZUAI welcomes our largest cohort of graduate students alongside our inaugural undergraduate class. Artificial intelligence is transforming the world at a pace that vastly outstrips traditional education models. To realise its full global potential, MBZUAI invests heavily in reviewing and updating our programmes to reflect modern AI research methodology and workflows, based on our bleeding-edge AI research credentials and grounded in societal and industrial needs. As a young institution, MBZUAI has already earned a place among the world's top 10 AI universities based on our research credentials. With the introduction of our undergraduate and Master's in Applied AI programmes, we continue to build world-leading programmes aligned with the UAE's National Strategy for AI 2031 and supporting Abu Dhabi's rapidly growing AI ecosystem." The newly launched Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence programme offers two streams, AI for Business and AI for Engineering, combining technical rigor with leadership, hands-on entrepreneurship, and in-situ industry experience. The first class consists of 115 undergraduate students from more than 25 countries, over 25 per cent of which are UAE Nationals. Professor Baldwin said: "The jobs of tomorrow are being shaped by AI today and we must ensure that future generations are equipped with the tools and skills to navigate that shift. Our extraordinarily talented students don't just learn about AI, but learn with it, through it, and for it. This is an extraordinary value proposition across all our programmes, but especially for our undergraduate students, who will be studying towards a bachelor's degree in AI that I believe sets a new global benchmark in terms of technical depth, real-world relevance, and the high-end AI job-readiness of the students." The key highlights for the Fall 2025 intake includes MBZUAI's total student body totaling more than 700, representing over 47 nationalities. Nationalities represented in the undergraduate programmes are Bulgaria, China, Egypt, Georgia, Greece, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, the UAE and the UK. Postgraduate programmes bring together students from Canada, China, Egypt, France, India, Italy, Kazakhstan, Serbia, UAE, UK, USA and Vietnam. MBZUAI continues to attract exceptional students, with 151 of the incoming graduate students (27.5 per cent) holding degrees from the world's top 100 computer science universities (CSRankings), including Cornell University, Tsinghua University, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of California, San Diego. In welcoming the new students, MBZUAI has begun its immersive Orientation Week, introducing new students to the university's culture of academic excellence, AI-driven innovation, and community engagement. The programme combines academic sessions, mentorship activities, and cultural programming celebrating UAE heritage and life in Abu Dhabi. Highlights include the Orientation Mini Fair, where internal and external partners showcase resources for academic success, career development, and student life. Orientation Week is designed to foster a strong sense of belonging and connection, laying the foundation for academic success and life-changing university experiences. For more information, visit
