Photo By DARREN STONE, Times Colonist
It will cost more to travel on BC Ferries starting on June 27 when the company removes the fuel rebates that have been in place since the spring of 2016.
BC Ferries says it applies fuel rebates and surcharges under a regulatory process that is independent of tariffs to keep prices steady for customers despite fluctuations in the price of fuel but is removing the rebate due to the increasing cost of fuel.
“Over the past 14 years, we’ve had fuel surcharges, fuel rebates and periods with neither, depending on the market price of diesel fuel, so over the years it has basically been neutral for our customers,” says BC Ferries president and CEO Mark Collins.
The ferry operator has had fuel rebates of 2.9 per cent in place for major and minor routes dropping to 1.9 per cent for northern routes.
Removing those fuel rebates adds 50 cents to the price of a ticket for an adult passenger and an extra $1.70 for a vehicle on the Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island route. Prices for minor routes will increase by 30 cents for an adult or 70 cents for a vehicle.
Two northern routes will see greater increases for the peak summer season from May 1 to September 30.
Prices on the Port Hardy-Prince Rupert route will increase by $3.35 for an adult passenger and $7.60 for a vehicle.
Travellers on the Port Hardy-Bella Coola route will pay $3.25 more for an adult and $6.40 for a vehicle.
In May, Transportation Minister Claire Trevena said she was disappointed with BC Ferries decision to remove the rebate and that the government was willing to negotiate with the company to avoid an increase.
B.C. Ferries says its prices have not increased over the past three years. “We know that the affordability of travel is important to our customers," says Collins.
A list of routes and associated fare increases:
BC Ferries
