Editor:
B.C. to Victoria. Come in Victoria. Victoria is anyone listening? That's the hollow feeling I had when I read of the Liberal government's proposed changes to the Coastal Ferry Act tabled May 9.
This spring, following extensive community consultation, the chairs of all 13 BC Ferry advisory committees called on Victoria to treat coastal ferries equivalent to our highways by covering the full ship and shore capital costs and institute a 25 per cent fare reduction, then limit future increases to cover operational costs.
The 13 chairs also supported ferry commissioner Macatee's proposal to add protection of "the interests of ferry users" to the commissioner's mandate.
On April 1 we were hit with another exorbitant fare increase of 4.15 per cent.
On May 9 Minister of Transportation Blair Lekstrom tabled changes to the Coastal Ferry Act. Those changes expanded the commissioner's mandate to include "protection of the interests of ferry users" defined as "ferry passengers and their families, communities serviced by ferries and business that rely on or utilize ferry services."
Unfortunately, the changes effectively tie the commissioner's hands to only consider fare increases, service cuts or deferral of capital spending or some combination.Victoria's protection looks more like a shakedown.
We don't ask those British Columbians who live in Port Hardy, Prince Rupert, Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Nelson or Bella Coola to pay for the cost of their highway or limit their hours of travel simply because they do not live in a dense urban environment, nor should we. British Columbians understand that a cost effective transportation system, which includes B.C. Ferries, is a collective responsibility we all benefit from. Would that Victoria understood as much!
So Victoria, if anyone is listening, make real changes: roll back the ferry fares 25 per cent, cover the capital costs and limit future fare hikes to operational costs.
Jef Keighley, FAC member, Halfmoon Bay
