B.C. Ferries gives OK to debit cards

VICTORIA — B.C. Ferries is accepting debit cards on its Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen vessels. The corporation has started a two-month test of debit cards, which began with the Spirit of B.C. on Wednesday and expanded on Thursday to all vessels serving B.C. Ferries’ busiest route.

Despite the widespread use of debit cards, B.C. Ferries has been accepting cash and credit cards only for purchases of food and merchandise on its vessels.

“Customers have been asking about this (debit cards) as a payment option so it is really about customer service,” said Darin Guenette, B.C. Ferries spokesman.

B.C. Ferries hasn’t been able to accept debit cards because its ships didn’t have a cellular system that provided a constant, reliable connection. A new system has been installed that maintains a connection 99 to 100 per cent of the time while the ships are moving.

The corporation has also been installing terminals to allow customers to tap cards or type in PINs.

In the past, employees would take the cards and swipe them through a terminal.

“When we installed PIN pads, we were able to essentially work on this connectivity improvement at the same time,” Guenette said.

If successful, debit cards will likely expand to routes out of Duke Point and Departure Bay in Nanaimo, he said.

Most foot-passenger terminals don’t accept debit. That will be a logical area for debit if the trial succeeds, Guenette said. It’s unlikely debit will be rolled out on all ferries because some are so small that they have only vending machines.