An era will end on Friday, and its passing is perhaps one of the surest signs that the Lower Fraser Valley is firmly within the Greater Vancouver orbit. It is not simply an independent region with some ties to the city.

The last sailing of the Albion Ferry for the public between Fort Langley and Albion takes place Friday at noon, with the final sailing for invited guests shortly afterwards. Then crew members will embark fior a final sailing.

Even the name is quaint. How many people outside a small area in Maple Ridge even know that Albion was once a small community on the banks of the Fraser River, largely defined by fishing?

The Albion Ferry has run for 52 years, with service beginning in 1957 after many years of pressure, mainly from people in Maple Ridge (better known as Haney in those days). The first boat was the T’Lagunna.

It was a toll ferry for the first 15 years of its existence, with the toll being 35 cents for vehicles and 10 cents for passengers in the final days.

For its first 25 years or so, the service provided was sufficient. While there were long lineups in the morning and evening rush hours, most of the time passengers waited about half an hour or so to cross the river. Many were prepared to take “the scenic route” and spend a little time enjoying the view of the river, the Golden Ears and the valley.

However, as both Langley and Maple Ridge kept growing, the service provided became wholly inadequate. This is not the fault of the people who operated it — most of them are great people who have worked hard, often in lousy weather conditions, to provide the best level of service possible. The fact that the ferries have been in service for 52 years without any major collisions or incidents is a testament to their dedication and professionalism.

Even with the two boats in service, the Klatawa and Kulleet, lineups were often very long — particularly if there was a problem on the Port Mann Bridge or Highway 1, which was the main alternative to using the ferry for most people.

I have used the ferry on rare occasions going back to the days when it was a toll ferry. However, in the mid-1990s I used it a lot when working at our sister newspaper, The Maple Ridge News, as a relief reporter. I found the best way to use it was to drive to Fort Langley and then ride my bicycle across to work. It was great exercise and I really got to appreciate the ferry crews and the spectacular view from the ferry deck — one that cannot be duplicated from any bridge.

On Saturday, it was time for me to make my final ferry trip. Once again, it was by bicycle — the best way to cross on the ferry. The trip was quick and efficient, and the lines of vehicle traffic were surprisingly long, given that the Golden Ears Bridge is now open.

However, I know I wasn’t the only one making a nostalgic trip that day. Several people out on the deck were commenting as to how much they will miss the view and the leisurely crossing of the river.

The Albion ferries have served all of us who live in this part of the region faithfully and well. Their crews have done their jobs with quiet efficiency. And after Friday, a lot of us will remember them fondly.