British Columbians saw increases in some taxes and fees April 1, but ferry travellers got a break.
Following through on the provincial budget, BC Ferries reduced fares on more than 20 routes, including Langdale-Horseshoe Bay, by an average of 15 per cent.
On the Langdale run, the standard vehicle fare dropped from $54 to $45.90 and the adult passenger fare was reduced from $16.15 to $13.70. The discount for Experience Card users now works out to $10.65 on the vehicle fare and $3 on the passenger rate. As well, the seniors passenger discount has increased from 50 per cent to 100 per cent for travel Monday through Thursday.
Fares on the major routes between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island are being frozen.
According to the background documents included in the Feb. 20 budget, the move will cost the government $27 million for the remainder of this fiscal year.
BC Ferries said Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with the province for a total of $98 million to fund the reductions and freezes in fiscal 2019 and 2020. The province will contribute $59 million and BC Ferries will provide $39 million.
“We are focused on the affordability of ferry travel. Our present financial position allows us to use some of our net earnings to reduce fares for our customers,” Mark Collins, BC Ferries’ president, said in a release. “This major additional contribution by the province expands efforts to improve affordability.”
The company said it’s also lowering the minimum load amount for Experience Cards to $95 for passenger and vehicle discounts and $55 for passenger savings only. Reservation fees are going down $5 to $10, if travellers book at least seven days in advance.
