Photo By DARREN STONE, Times Colonist
Your next ferry ride may have just gotten a whole lot cheaper.
As of April 1, B.C. Ferries has reduced fare rates on 21 inter-island and northern routes, as well as the Horseshoe Bay to Langdale route, by an average of 15 per cent. Fares on three Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island routes remain at their current rate.
Instead of a 50 per cent discount, all seniors can now ride for free Monday through Thursday, except holiday Mondays, on major and inter-island routes.
B.C. Ferries and the provincial government reached an agreement to fund the fare reductions at a cost of $98 million over the 2019 and 2020 fiscal year. Of that total, $78 million will go to fare reductions. B.C. Ferries will contribute $39 million, while the province will kick in the remaining $59 million for fare reductions and an increased B.C. seniors discount.
“We are focused on the affordability of ferry travel. Our present financial position allows us to use some of our net earnings to reduce fares for our customers.” said Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ President and CEO in a news release. “This major additional contribution by the province expands efforts to improve affordability.”
As well, B.C. Ferries has cut the buy-in level for Experience Cards by 15 per cent to $95 for vehicle and driver and $55 for passenger fares.
Reservation fees have also been reduced from $15 to $10 for passengers who book at least a week in advance.
