Debit will soon be available at BC Ferries ticket booths for the roughly three million trips taken from Nanaimo terminals. (File photo/BC Ferries)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

easier payment

Debit coming to BC Ferries ticket booths for thousands of Nanaimo customers

Mar 2, 2020 | 10:21 AM

NANAIMO — Debit will soon be available for passengers taking roughly three million BC Ferries trips from Nanaimo terminals.

BC Ferries announced Monday morning debit is being rolled out for all routes. Previously, only credit and cash were accepted.

The company’s Tessa Humphries said they understood why debit availability was long sought after by their clients, but they wanted to ensure the tap function would be in place for all cards

“During the very popular summer travel months, the extra time needed to insert a chip and enter your PIN could cause delays at the terminal and them to be backed up.”

Humphries says a study showed only roughly 30 per cent of purchases at ticket booths would exceed the $100 limit for tap.

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In October 2018, BC Ferries rolled out a trial of debit cards on board vessels. At the time, only Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay was included.

Ridership stats show roughly three million trips, including both cars and walk-ons, were taken from the Departure Bay and Duke Point ferry terminals in Nanaimo.

Debit is expected to be available on Vancouver Island routes by the end of March.

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