Friday, March 29, 2024

Here are three changes coming to the BC Ferries with NDP in power

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With a new NDP government, new policies will be coming in across the board. One series of changes that could affect island life will be alterations to BC Ferries.

The NDP made promises during their election campaign to freeze and/or lower ferry fares. In the next few weeks, those promises could turn into action. Here are a few of the changes you can expect:

1 – Fares on major routes will be frozen

BC Ferries
Image: BC Ferries

According to B.C.’s transportation Minister Claire Trevena, Routes between Vancouver (i.e. Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen) and Victoria/Nanaimo won’t see any fare increases in the foreseeable future.

In an interview with CHEK News, Trevena said that fares had been “out of control over the last 16 years.” Regular one-way trips for a single passenger and vehicle to/from Vancouver to Victoria/Nanaimo currently cost a total of $74.70.

2 – Fares on minor routes will be rolled back 15 percent

BC Ferries
Image: BC Ferries

Trips such as those to the Gulf Islands will see prices decrease by 15%. Prices vary depending on routes (click here to see the full range).

3 – Seniors will travel free during the week

seniors

This policy will be reinstated after senior weekday fares were raised to half the price of regular fares in 2014.

Despite that three-year-old price rise, the BC Government has continued to subsidize BC Ferries the same amount (i.e. full price) for its senior fares. So, the cost of the new free fares will likely be taken out of BC Ferries revenue, not directly from the government.

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Alistair Ogden
Former staff writer at Victoria Buzz.

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