BC Government News Release: BC Invests in Affordability of Safe, Reliable Coastal Ferry Service

Details from the BC Government News Release:

BC Ferries is poised to enter its next four-year performance term, beginning April 1, 2024, with a focus on improved capacity and reliability, buoyed by a $500-million investment from the Province to keep fare increases down.

The BC Ferries commissioner has confirmed fare increases of an average of 3.2% over each of the next four years. Without the provincial funding, fare increases would have been approximately 9.2% per year for the next four years.

The Province’s investment allows BC Ferries to remain on course with its capital plan, which includes investments in new ships, more staff, and terminal and technology upgrades.

The Province has also renewed its service contract with BC Ferries for the next four-year term, Performance Term 6 (PT6), which covers April 1, 2024, until March 31, 2028.

The Coastal Ferry Services Contract is an agreement between the Province and BC Ferry Services Inc. to deliver ferry service and is renewed at the end of each four-year performance term. Government funding is provided to BC Ferries through the contract that defines routes and minimum service levels.

The new Coastal Ferry Services Contract specifies the annual addition of 1,433 round-trip sailings, previously designated as discretionary sailings, to core services on 13 minor routes. This will add capacity and improve service for smaller, ferry-dependent communities.

The Province is also working with BC Ferries to improve reliability by including penalty provisions for core-service sailings missed due to insufficient crew. Details of how penalties will be applied will be confirmed in the spring.

Read the full BC Government news release, here: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023MOTI0154-001530 

Media Contacts

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
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