New Democrat MLA Gary Coons says he had hoped it was just a bad practical joke being played by the B.C. Liberals after B.C. Ferries announced a fare increase effective Friday (April 1).
Evidently not.
Ferries commissioner Martin Crilly announced fare increases of 3.8 per cent on major routes and 6.71 per cent for minor routes Thursday.
That means a single passenger car and driver catching the Duke Point-Tsawwassen route or Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay will now pay $61.50 instead of $59.50.
Crilly also approved an annual increase of 4.15 per cent for major routes and 8.23 per cent for minor routes from 2012-2015 as part of his Performance Term 3 report. Those preliminary rates are calculated using current service levels and government funding totals, which the government must decide on by June 30.
That’s over and above ferry fare increases that take effect April 1 (Friday). B.C. Ferries had requested room to raise fares even higher over the next four years. The lower rate cap is possible because Crilly has ordered the ferry corporation to find an $18.5-million reduction in costs.
The commissioner will release final new rates for Performance Term 3 by Sept. 30.
“This blow hits families hard,” said Coons, who is also the Opposition’s ferry critic. “Especially after the B.C. Liberals had promised taxpayers they would keep ferry fares stable.”
Since 2003 rates have increased 45 per cent on major routes and as much as 80 per cent on minor and northern routes.
“This is much higher than the provincial rate of inflation which was measured at 11 per cent,” said Coons. “How do they expect families to stomach these increases?”
Coons said he is worried the rate increases will negatively affect coastal communities.
