B.C. Ferries to increase fare surcharge June 1 due to record fuel prices

B.C. Ferries is increasing its surcharge on all routes beginning June 1, due to record-setting fuel prices.

The ferry company will increase its fuel surcharge from one per cent to 2.5 per cent beginning next month. The company generally adds a surcharge, issues rebates on fares or neither to manage the cost of fuel. The surcharge or rebate is regulated by the B.C. Ferries commissioner.

The surcharge increase will total 45 cents per adult ticket and $2 per vehicle and driver on routes linking Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island.

For inter-island routes, the surcharge will total 25 cents per adult ticket and $1.05 per vehicle and driver.

“The company does not benefit financially from surcharges or rebates,” read a news release announcing the increase.

Beginning June 1, a 2.5 per cent surcharge will also be introduced on the Port Hardy-Prince Rupert route, the Prince Rupert-Haida Gwaii, and Port Hardy-Central Coast routes. Those routes currently have no surcharge.

The company also hopes to introduce battery-equipped ships, once charging infrastructure can be installed.