Vehicular traffic hit a new record for BC Ferries in April, May and June, representing the first quarter of 2022 (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

increased traffic

BC Ferries reports record vehicle traffic amid turbulent year

Aug 18, 2022 | 2:40 PM

NANAIMO — Business has been brisk for BC Ferries this spring and summer, despite shaken confidence in the company as a result of sailing cancellations.

The ferry company reported the highest ever amount of vehicle traffic in a year between April and June, with a 42 per cent increase over last year and 3.8 per jump during same pre-COVID period in 2020.

Passenger traffic was 74 per cent up in the quarter compared to 2021, but about six per cent lower compared to the same period in 2020, a BC Ferries news release stated.

The company noted net earnings for the first quarter of the year were $7.9 million compared to $4.7 million during the same period last year.

Crew shortages have plagued certain BC Ferries routes in recent months leading to cancelled sailings, including on the Departure Bay- Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo Harbour -Gabriola Island routes.

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BC Ferries noted less than one per cent of round trips during the first quarter of the fiscal year were canceled, encompassing April, May and June 2022.

It has been an eventful year for BC Ferries on multiple levels, including in the mid Island area.

The company unveiled its two new hybrid vessels on the Nanaimo Harbour-Gabriola Island route on April 12.

On June 1 a fuel surcharge of 2.5 per cent on all routes was implemented due to rising fuel costs.

The surcharge followed the implementation of a one per cent fuel surcharge applied on March 1.

On July 22 the BC Ferry Services Board announced the removal of CEO Mark Collins, stating a fresh voice was needed to navigate the company amid staff shortages, service interruptions and COVID-19 related challenges.

BC Ferries is currently looking for a new permanent CEO.

On July 28 BC Ferries and Nanaimo based Snuneymuxw First Nation announced a relationship protocol agreement to guide a working relationship between the two parties moving forward.

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