Ferry talks move to Texada
Texada Island residents have an opportunity to express their views about BC Ferries next week at an open house.
The province is in the middle of a five-week public consultation process about how BC Ferries can reduce costs. It’s estimated the company will have a $564-million shortfall in the next 10 years and the province wants it to cut $26 million by 2016. The province is also asking for input on the long-term vision for coastal ferry service.
Members of the public engagement team are holding an open house from 6 to 9 pm on Wednesday, December 5 at Texada Island Community Hall.
The team was in Powell River on Monday, November 19, for both an open house and a small group meeting. Many speakers at the open house talked about the issue of whether BC Ferries is a company that should be concerned with its bottom line, or if ferry service is an extension of the highway system. Most people believe ferries are an essential service, not just another public utility. Many people also compared coastal ferry service to the inland ferry service, which is free.
The consultation process includes 38 public meetings in 30 communities, a discussion guide, feedback form and a website.
The government is not expected to make a decision about coastal ferry service before the May provincial election.
Ferries drop fuel surcharges
BC Ferries has announced that as of today, November 30, it has eliminated the two per cent fuel surcharge on all major and minor routes.
“The recent decrease in the cost of fuel allows us to eliminate the fuel surcharges, which is great news for holiday travellers,” said Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries’ president and CEO in a statement. “We are pleased to be able to reduce the cost of ferry travel for our customers as every bit helps.”
On July 20, the fuel surcharge dropped from five per cent to two per cent.
On the Powell River-Texada Island run, fuel surcharges were $0.15 per round trip for adults, $0.05 for children, $0.45 for vehicles and $0.20 for motorcycles. Surcharges applied to the Saltery Bay-Earls Cove run were $0.25 for adults, $0.10 for children, $0.90 for vehicles and $0.45 for motorcycles.
On the Comox-Powell River run, the fuel surcharge was applied to both directions of travel and was $0.25 for adults, $0.10 for children, $0.85 for vehicles and $0.40 for motorcycles.
