Skip to content

We all deserve better

Editor: I must take exception to the letter by J. Peat (Coast Reporter, Aug. 22) who does not feel that the ferry system deserves all the criticism. He commends the service provided and suggests that locals should just adjust their travel times.

Editor:

I must take exception to the letter by J. Peat (Coast Reporter, Aug. 22) who does not feel that the ferry system deserves all the criticism.

He commends the service provided and suggests that locals should just adjust their travel times. Obviously he does not use the ferries on a regular basis, as the times where the ferries are running on time and/or not facing overloads is infrequent for several months of the year.

The ferry connects us to the rest of B.C. and it should be reliable, affordable and equitable to other transportation systems. It is not. The fares on the Horseshoe Bay/Langdale run have increased by 85 per cent since 2003, while the fare for a bus in Vancouver has only increased by 37 and a half per cent.

Commercial vehicles bringing goods to the Coast that use the ferry have faced overloads every weekday morning this summer, and the time those drivers must spend waiting at the terminal adds to the cost of our goods in the local stores.

The recent news release of net profits of BC Ferries showed a significant increase, but that was only because of 3,000 sailing cuts, fare increases and removal of 50 per cent of the seniors’ discount. Actual ridership of the ferries is not improving, but that does not seem to be a priority of BC Ferries.

Residents on the Sunshine Coast and in all coastal communities depend on BC Ferries as their highway. This marine highway is a very important factor in the economic viability of our communities. Coastal residents deserve better ferry service and should not settle for any less just because this is where we chose to live.

Diana Mumford, Sechelt