Powell River residents will have to pay more to ride on ferries starting April 1. Fares on BC Ferries’ minor routes will increase an average of 6.7 per cent. The latest increases are part of the current service contract between BC Ferries and the provincial government, which began in 2007.
Terms for a new service contract that begins in 2012 have not yet been released. However, BC Ferries CEO David Hahn has predicted fares will increase between 12 and 14 per cent per year for the next four years, unless the provincial government increases its subsidy to the company.
Residents of ferry-dependent communities have shouldered increases between 64 to 87 per cent since 2003. The impacts of the increased fares are felt in all areas of the community and have the potential of significantly affecting tourism and economic development.
BC Premier Christy Clark and her new cabinet were sworn into office on Monday this week. We can only hope that her promise of change will extend to the province’s role in providing ferry service.
