BC Ferries and the province have agreed to a plan that gradually increases service levels across multiple routes along coastal BC. The province has amended the Coastal Ferry Services Contract to permit these service adjustments through September 7, 2020, according to a BC Ferries media release.
As traffic starts to return and the province begins to relax COVID-19 restrictions, BC Ferries will reintroduce service across the system in response to demand, the publicly owned company stated, while continuing to follow guidelines provided by provincial and federal officials.
“BC Ferries understands the important role we play in British Columbia’s social and economic recovery,” stated president and CEO Mark Collins. “We remain committed to ensuring coastal communities have reliable access to essential goods and transportation for residents, emergency personnel and health care workers. However, it will take some time before we return to pre-COVID-19 traffic demand and full service offerings.”
BC Ferries will continue to monitor traffic levels on routes and add more service over the summer months as demand requires.
During the pandemic, BC Ferries has maintained minimum core service levels on all other routes as specified in the Coastal Ferry Services Contract. This continues under the new Temporary Service Level Agreement.
BC Ferries is following the directives and guidance provided by the province and Transport Canada, according to the release. Safety measures in place include limiting passenger capacity by 50 per cent to support physical distancing, allowing customers to remain in their vehicles during the sailing on all car decks, enhanced cleaning and screening of travellers.
