B.C. Ferries vehicle traffic hits all-time high
Amid overloads, region awaits arrival of second ferry to run between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale
In its 58 years of existence, B.C. Ferries says it has never seen vehicle traffic levels quite like this year.
The company announced it has hit an all-time high for vehicles on board its vessels, while foot traffic is also at its highest in more than 20 years.
Yet in its first quarter results for this fiscal year, the corporation’s net earnings were down significantly from the same quarter last year. Between April and June, B.C. Ferries earned $6 million — $11.3 million less than 2017.
The company attributes the loss “to B.C. Ferries’ contributions to the April 1 fare reductions as well as more sailings at popular sailing times.”
The increase did prompt a 1.5-per-cent revenue boost ($229.7 million), but that was partly offset by the fare reductions.
“At these unprecedented traffic levels, we know that some travellers and communities are seeing some delays,” said B.C. Ferries president Mark Collins.
“To address this, we’ve added even more extra sailings this summer for the increased demand while maintaining key operational targets like safety and on-time performance.”
Operating costs are up by 7.8 per cent ($209.9 million) as the company added 352 round trips during the quarter to meet the increasing demand.
The costs are attributed to increased labour, fuel consumption and training.
Diana Mumford, chair of the Sunshine Coast ferry advisory committee, said that the effects are tangible as her region awaits the implementation of a second ferry to run between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale.
“We used to see overloads on the weekends, but (now) it’s any day of the week, any time of day,” she said. “I tend to go to the ferry an hour or hour and half (early), just to get on.”
Mumford met with B.C. Ferries staff and the provincial transportation minister on Friday to discuss the results.
“We’re just waiting in line for more ferries like the others in B.C.,” Mumford said.
B.C. Ferries said it has made adjustments for the routes operating out of Horseshoe Bay, while an upgraded vessel operating on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route has returned to service.
“With traffic levels the highest our company has ever experienced, we continue to add service where possible, resulting in higher operating expenses,” said Collins.
“That increase in service is across the board.”