Improve ferry service, but few reservation changes, says minister

VICTORIA — B.C. Ferries needs to look at improving service to coastal communities, but that may not include an overhaul to the corporation’s reservation system to make it function more like booking an airline ticket, says the province’s transportation minister.

Claire Trevena said she has heard clearly that ferries schedules don’t include enough runs at key times to handle the rising traffic volumes to coastal communities such as her home on Quadra Island.

“This is something we’re going to be working on with B.C. Ferries, which is making sure schedules work for communities,” she said in an interview. “I think this is a big problem for communities.”

The previous Liberal government cut back sailings on minor routes in 2013, to help B.C. Ferries stem financial losses caused by rising fuel prices and slumping passenger numbers. Since then, the corporation’s finances have largely turned around, although it is unclear if the new NDP government is considering restoring all the cuts made in 2013.

One idea that Trevena said she is not keen to pursue is B.C. Ferries’ proposal to rework its reservation system so that passengers who book in advance would not have to pay a reservation fee. It would mirror the airline industry, allowing for discounted offpeak fares and the ability to compare fares depending on when passengers travel.

“They keep talking about this airline model and I’ve got to say I’m quite concerned about it,” said Trevena.

Trevena launched a review of ferry services in January that will examine the regulatory model of setting price caps, as well as find ways to cut costs without impacting services. The review, due June 30, will examine the quasi-private structure of B.C. Ferries, but won’t consider the governance of the corporation, nor will it bring B.C. Ferries into the ministry of transportation, said Trevena.

“What I’ve been saying very clearly is that ferries are part of our marine highway,” she said.

That’s not good enough, said Jim Abram, a longtime coastal ferry advocate and a director for the Strathcona Regional District, who recently helped organize a petition delivered in the legislature to bring the ferry corporation inside government. Trevena and Premier John Horgan had left the clear impression from their comments while in Opposition and before the election that ferries would be moved back to direct provincial control, he said.

“I’m very upset they did not deal with governance, and they should have,” said Abram, adding that it is backwards to look for savings and details without first looking at how ferries are run.

The government is following through on a promise to roll back fares on northern and minor routes by 15 per cent as of April 1, and freeze fares on the main Vancouver Island to Lower Mainland sailings.

As well, it is restoring a free fare program for seniors who ride Monday to Thursdays, which was reduced to a halfrate discount in 2013.