BC Ferries has launched new discount fare options on advance bookings for three major routes from Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island.
Two new pricing options will be available: the Saver fare and Prepaid fare. BC Ferries says the Saver fare will be the transportation service’s most affordable fare and will be available on less busy sailings.
“Our routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island account for about 60 per cent of overall ferry traffic, so we are introducing our new fare choices on these routes first,” said Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ President & CEO.
“When the Province lifts essential travel orders, these fare options will provide our customers more value, flexibility and certainty. They will also help spread traffic across the day, reducing sailing waits at popular times.”
The two additional fare options, which join the two existing “At Terminal” and “Reservation Only” fares, will be available for advanced purchase on the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) — Victoria (Swartz Bay), Vancouver (Tsawwassen) — Nanaimo (Duke Point) and Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) — Nanaimo (Departure Bay) routes.
BC Ferries says the new Saver fare will be the most affordable choice, with prices ranging from as low as $49 this spring up to $73.70.
These discounted prices will vary at different times but will be available on select sailings year-round, and also come free of a reservation fee.
The new Prepaid fare requires that customers pay their reservation and travel in full at time of booking. Reservation fees will be waived if booked more than seven days in advance. BC Ferries says the Prepaid fare offers the greatest flexibility for changes to a booking.
This differs from the existing Reservation Only fare, which allows customers to only pay their reservation fee at the time of booking.
The new fare choices are being implemented immediately as BC Ferries prepares for increased demand following an expected lifting of essential travel orders.
Bookings are open online at bcferries.com.
