BC Ferries: steep fare hikes could be on the way
Posted February 4, 2011 3:30 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – The head of the BC Ferries says no decisions have been made on fare increases, but the rates could go way up in the near future.
David Hahn says the Ferry Commissioner is looking over the numbers and will rule at the end of March. “We’ve been pretty open with the provincial government and the local ferry advisory committees for at least two years as to what is coming. There are fleet renewal issues, … the price of fuel, worth well over 90 bucks a barrel right now.”
So how much could it cost to take a ferry in the future?
“On the major routes, something like four to five per cent a year for four years, on the minor routes, something like 12 to 14 per cent a year for four years, and in the North, it could be as much as 25-26 per cent a year for four years.”
Hahn also says it’s time for the provincial leadership contenders to state their positions on ferry fares.
Meanwhile, Sechelt mayor Darren Inkster says if the rates go up, it will be a big blow to a lot of people on the Sunshine Coast. “Whenever these increases occur, there is an adjustment that happens to people. They either go to Vancouver less often or they use different modes of transportation.”
Inkster says if people are concerned about rates, they should ask the province to increase its subsidy to BC Ferries so fare prices don’t increase.
