Ferry service expanding on 10 minor and northern routes

The province and BC Ferries have agreed to increase service on 10 minor and northern routes, with 2,700 additional round trips added to schedules. Photo courtesy Flickr.

Ten minor and northern BC Ferries’ routes will have 2,700 round-trip sailings added to schedules as early as this Spring.

The B.C. government announced an agreement with the corporation to add service that was cut from the routes in 2014.

The routes that will see additional service are:

• Crofton – Vesuvius
• Earls Cove – Saltery Bay
• Horseshoe Bay – Bowen Island
• Port Hardy – Mid Coast – Prince Rupert
• Haida Gwaii – Prince Rupert
• Powell River – Texada Island
• Nanaimo Harbour – Gabriola Island
• Campbell River – Quadra Island
• Quadra Island – Cortes Island
• Skidegate – Alliford Bay

The province says the transportation ministry and BC Ferries have been working on a response to the BC Ferry Advisory Committee chairs’ request for services cut five years ago to be restored.

The added round-trip sailings will be returned over the next year, and the province says the majority of those will start in the Spring.

The province released a 262-page report from special advisor Blair Redlin last June called “Connecting Coastal Communities”, which reviewed coastal ferry service.

In the report, Redlin identified opportunities to improve services under the current model, with more than 60 recommendations.

Mark Collins, president and CEO of BC Ferries, said in a statement the company is pleased that the review confirms the coastal ferry service is a vital part of the provincial economy and critical to those who use ferry services and for the province as a whole.

“We appreciate the review concluding that ‘BC Ferries is, on the whole, a well-run company.’ The review also recognizes that our ’employees and managers are committed to providing a safe, reliable service for the coast and work hard at it every day of the week’ and our ‘Board of Directors take seriously its obligation to provide good strategic direction and oversight.'”

“BC Ferries acknowledges and appreciates the financial contribution the province made over the past year, along with contributions from BC Ferries, to fare affordability and helping to keep fares flat and lower fares on some routes. We also appreciate today’s announcement of increased service levels on many of our inter-island and northern routes. We look forward to continuing to work with the province in the best interests of the ferry users.”

Collins said BC Ferries is reviewing the document thoroughly and will meet with the province to discuss the recommendations.

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