BC Ferries has announced they will be reducing their fuel rebate on Aug. 1 because of rising fuel costs.
The ferry company says they will be reducing the fuel rebate from 1.5 per cent to 0.5 per cent next month.
The result will be customers paying 10 cents more for an adult and 30 cents more for a vehicle on Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island routes, according to a press release Thursday.
They also said costs will rise five cents for an adult and 20 cents for a vehicle on inter-island routes.
BC Ferries has been making more investments in alternative fuels recently and hopes they will help avoid higher fuel prices. However, BC Ferries president and CEO Mark Collins said a reduction in the fuel rebate is necessary at the moment.
“BC Ferries understands the importance of affordability of travel to our customers,” said Collins in the press release. “We will continue to take measures to reduce our fuel consumption further through the introduction of diesel-electric battery hybrid vessels.”
The fuel rebate has been in use for 17 years by BC Ferries. They say when prices are lower, they pass the lower prices on to customers through the rebate. When prices are higher, they charge a surcharge to cover the additional cost.
The fuel rebate will be 0.5 per cent on all routes except for Port Hardy — Prince Rupert, Prince Rupert — Haida Gwaii, and Port Hardy — Central Coast routes. BC Ferries say this is because the sailings have a “separate mechanism” related to the fuel cost and the rebate will remain at 1.5 per cent until further notice.
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Justin Waddell
