Fares for sailings on BC Ferries are expected to increase an average of 3.2 per cent per year over the next four years, increases which are being kept lower thanks to a half a billion dollar investment from the provincial government. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

ferry fees

Provincial investment keeps ferry fare increases down, adding penalties for cancelled sailings

Oct 3, 2023 | 3:58 PM

NANAIMO — The B.C. government wants to make sure ferry tickets remain relatively affordable, even as prices will shoot up in the coming years.

The province recently signed a four-year service contract with BC Ferries, effective April 1, 2024, until March 31, 2028, while $500 million in provincial funding was announced in February to help contain fare prices and other initiatives.

BC Ferries confirmed fares will increase an average of 3.2 per cent per year over for the next four years. Without the provincial investment, the increases would be close to 9.2 per cent per year over the next four years, according to news release from the province.

Minister of transportation and infrastructure Rob Fleming said they are also working on a plan to include penalties for “core-service sailings” missed due to crew shortages, which will be added in the spring.

“People want to know their sailings will run as scheduled. While BC Ferries is working hard to secure additional staffing, the provision for penalties is an added measure to hold the company to account for the services it is contracted to provide.”

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Fleming stated he knows ferry users have been frustrated by mechanical and staffing issues causing sailing cancellations this summer, and he’s hoping this investment will allow BC Ferries to focus on service reliability.

This investment will help BC Ferries remain focused on service delivery while growing and modernizing their fleet to improve reliability, according to Fleming.

“BC Ferries must invest in the technology and people necessary to ensure safe, reliable ferry service for the people of coastal B.C. At a time of high interest rates, we made a prudent investment that allows BC Ferries to continue with its longer-term capital plans that will improve capacity and reliability, while keeping fare increases low.”

The new service contract also adds another 1,433 round-trip sailings, previously classified as discretionary sailings, to service 13 minor routes, with the goal of improving service for smaller, ferry-dependent communities.

Mechanical issues on the Coastal Renaissance at the end of August forced the cancellation of a number of fall sailings, while the tourism industry on Vancouver Island also felt the sting of canceled sailings this summer.

The additional $500 million over four years is in addition to the $194 million in annual service fees provided to BC Ferries.

The investment will also aid in the electrification of their vessels and other green initiatives.

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