Sunshine Coast residents who worried about a loss of ferry fare discounts received some good news after an April 21 meeting between B.C. Ferries and the Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC)
Route 3 (Langdale to Horseshoe Bay) is pending a change of status from a minor route to a major route. B.C. Ferries' major route group includes Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo and Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay. The major routes do not receive a provincial government subsidy, leading to concern over the potential impact on the Experience Card, a card that offers frequent travellers a fare discount of 22 per cent.
But at the April 21 meeting, officials from B.C. Ferries assured the FAC there would be no changes to the Experience Card.
Additionally the new classification has benefits.
FAC chair Jakob Knaus said that by moving to major route status, B.C. Ferries will be responsible for the eventual replacement of the Queen of Surrey as well as upgrades to the Langdale terminal. Knaus also said B.C. Ferries will recognize Route 3 as a separate route, "in view of our some 1,250 commuters and the fact that our residents have to access services in Vancouver which are not available on the Sunshine Coast."
One challenge encountered on the conference call was the issue of the 5:30 p.m. summer schedule sailing from Horseshoe Bay. As of May 19, the sailing will be pushed to 5:50 p.m. and will remain in effect until Sept. 5. Commuters would like to see the 5:30 sailing, which also coincides with the bus schedule, remain year round, but Knaus said Translink is unwilling to change the schedule. He did say, however, that B.C. Ferries is working on trying to find a solution, although he added nothing is in sight for 2011 and 2012.
Knaus also pressed the matter of student fares. The current student reductions will continue under the major group classification, but Knaus is attempting to have the reductions expanded and looking to the province for support.
Additionally, the fuel surcharge issue was discussed. B.C. Ferries' strategy to moderate fuel price is to hedge oil prices. For the future hedge program, B.C. Ferries will attempt to hedge home heating oil, but will do so only when the hedge would result in a fuel cost below target price. The FAC anticipates the ferry commissioner will review and set guidelines for fuel hedging. The FAC expects that should oil prices to remain high, a fuel surcharge will be seen prior to next April.
While Knaus said the meeting was constructive, he felt B.C. Ferries has not yet met the needs and expectations for the community.
"Since 2003, the cost of living has gone up some 12 per cent, whereas our ferry fares have gone up 60 per cent," he said.
The public and government will have a chance to share their input on the proposed ferry fare increases, announced late last month, until the end of June. The ferry commissioner will make a final and binding decision by the end of September.
Knaus also declared his retirement as FAC chair. David Dick has stepped in as interim chair of the current term, ending on Dec. 31.
The FAC stated they acknowledge, with thanks, Knaus' efforts in promoting improvements to the Coastal ferry services and his advocacy of student fares.
Although Knaus has retired from the role of chair, he remains a committed member of the FAC.
