In a bid to address growing concerns over the reliability of BC Ferries, the provincial government has unveiled new policies aimed at holding the ferry corporation accountable for its service performance.
The primary focus of these policies is to ensure that core-service sailings are not disrupted due to crew shortages.
The announcement comes after a challenging year for BC Ferries, marked by public outcry over missed sailings and unexpected cancellations.
Details about the newly introduced “penalty provisions” remain scant, with the provincial government planning to provide a comprehensive explanation of how these penalties will be applied in the spring of 2024.
The objective behind these penalties is clear: to instill a sense of responsibility within BC Ferries and ensure that passengers can have confidence in the punctuality of their sailings.
One significant change is the reclassification of 1,433 round-trip sailings on 13 minor routes. These sailings, previously categorized as “discretionary sailings,” will now be deemed “core services.”
In addition to the crewing challenges, BC Ferries has also grappled with mechanical issues that have led to the downtime of major vessels. For example, the Coastal Renaissance has been out of service since August. These incidents have further underscored the need for improved operational reliability.
Currently, BC Ferries operates as a private company with the provincial government serving as its sole owner. The ferry corporation is governed by its own corporate board of directors. While the provincial government has been taking measures to exert more control over BC Ferries in recent years, it has not reverted it to a crown corporation.
Fares Increases Capped
As part of these ongoing changes, the BC Ferries commissioner has confirmed fare increases averaging 3.2% over the next four years through 2028, after previously endorsing an annual fare hike of 9.2 percent.
These increases will help support the ongoing efforts to improve and stabilize ferry services in the region.
In the initial decision unveiled in March, Eva Hage, the BC Ferries Commissioner, had not factored in the provincial government’s allocation of $500 million to the ferry company.
BC Ferries has to provide 15 days public notice for any fare increases as a result of a fuel surcharge or removing or decreasing rebates.
“A maximum 3.2% increase in annual fares will, I believe, be sufficient to allow BC Ferries to meet the financial demands of the upcoming performance term, while at the same time providing British Columbians with safe, reliable, and affordable ferry service,” said commissioner Eva Hage in a statement.
