BC Ferries says it will raise its fuel surcharge from one per cent to 2.5 per cent on June 1 as gas prices in the province continue to rise to unprecedented levels.
The cost increase means adults will now be paying 45 cents while drivers will pay two dollars on routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.
On various inter-island routes, adults will pay 25 cents while drivers pay $1.05.
“Over the past 18 years, BC Ferries has been using fuel rebate/surcharge mechanism to manage the volatility in the price of fuel,” BC Ferries said in a statement. “When fuel prices are lower, BC Ferries passes lower fuel prices on to customers through a fuel rebate. When fuel prices are higher, BC Ferries charges a fuel surcharge specifically designed to cover the additional cost of fuel.”
The company says it has invested in ways to reduce fuel consumption, use cleaner and lower-cost fuels such as LNG instead of diesel and introduced electricity-powered ships.
“Despite initiatives to burn fuel more efficiently, a fuel surcharge is necessary at this time,” it said.
BC Ferries says it does not benefit financially from surcharges or rebates when fuel prices are volatile.
BC Ferries added that a 2.5 per cent surcharge will also be implemented for sailings on B.C.’s central coast, including Port Hardy-Prince Rupert and Prince Rupert-Haida Gwaii-Port hardy.
Gas prices reached a record average high of 209.8 cents per litre in Greater Victoria Monday, according to gas-price tracking website GasBuddy.com, while in Vancouver they hit an all-time record average of 220.8 cents per litre.
April Lawrence
