This fall, BC government officials ventured into coastal communities to consult with residents about ferry service. Representatives from the ministry of transportation and infrastructure, a consultant hired by the government and representatives from BC Ferries organized over 30 meetings, to invite feedback on “what strategies should be pursued to achieve the long-term vision of connecting coastal communities in an affordable, efficient and sustainable manner.”
The consultation process, which is open to all residents of British Columbia, stemmed from the BC Ferry Commissioner’s January 2012 report, which concluded that the government, BC Ferries, and ferry users will all need to contribute toward ensuring the sustainability of the ferry system.
As a result of the report, the province is contributing an additional $79.5 million by 2016. BC Ferries has committed to achieve $15 million in efficiency improvements, while ferry users are being asked to contribute $30 million through service adjustments. BC Ferries had already found $4 million through service reductions on the major routes between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, but there is still a need to find $26 million through service adjustments by 2016.
While the meetings, both with small groups and larger open houses, were organized to find out how coastal residents feel about service reductions, participants who attended meetings in both Powell River and more recently on Texada Island were more intent on expressing frustrations with escalating ticket prices and service shortfalls than suggesting ideas for trimming operating costs. Many also found the process created the illusion of consultation, attempted to distract users from the real issues and provided the public with a list of service options with no supportive financial analysis.
BC Ferries, formerly a Crown corporation, became a private corporation with a mandate of keeping fares low and supporting coastal tourism, economies and lifestyles with the Coastal Ferry Act, passed in 2003. Since that time, fares have risen by as much as 125 per cent on some routes, ridership is down throughout the system and economies in coastal communities are experiencing declines not seen in non-ferry-dependent communities.
The consultation process ends on Friday, December 21. Residents who didn’t attend a meeting can provide their thoughts through the coastal ferries engagement website up until then.
The consultant’s report on the public engagement process is expected to be submitted to government in February, but a decision on service cuts is not expected to be made before the May provincial election.
