British Columbians who live in communities along the province’s coast will soon have access to more sailings, according to an announcement made by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure today.
In total, 2,700 round trip sailings will be added to 10 ferry routes, returning services to communities that saw sailings cut back in 2014.
“For years people living in coastal communities saw ferry fares increase and services cut,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
“Quality, affordable ferry services are a necessity not a luxury for people in coastal communities. That’s why we’ve turned the ship around – first by rolling back ferry fares on small coastal routes and now by reversing cuts to services that were making it difficult for people to get around.”
Returning sailings to coastal communities was part of the government’s response to the Redlin report, a special operating review of ferry services that recommended long-term improvements to these routes.
The increased sailings will be implemented by 2020, with some starting as early as this spring.
For a full look at the Redlin report and its 59 other recommendations, find it online here.
The 10 ferry routes that will see increased sailings are:
- Route 6, Crofton – Vesuvius
- Route 7, Earls Cove – Saltery Bay
- Route 8, Horseshoe Bay – Bowen Island
- Route 10, Port Hardy – Mid Coast – Prince Rupert
- Route 11, Haida Gwaii – Prince Rupert
- Route 18, Powell River – Texada Island
- Route 19, Nanaimo Harbour – Gabriola Island
- Route 23, Campbell River – Quadra Island
- Route 24, Quadra Island – Cortes Island
- Route 26, Skidegate – Alliford Bay
