BC Government to increase service on BC Ferries coastal routes

The provincial government is about to reverse cuts from 2014 to ferry services along the BC coast, with ten BC Ferry routes set to see an increase in service as the government responds to concerns from coastal communities along the Central and North Coast.

Among the services to see an increase in sailings will be the Prince Rupert -Mid Coast - Port Hardy service, Prince Rupert to Skidegate run and the Skidegate to Aliford Bay service.

Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claire Trevana outlined the move today as part of the release of the Redlin Report which reviewed the difficulties that coastal communities were having with the current service model.

“For years people living in coastal communities saw ferry fares increase and services cut,” “Quality, affordable ferry services are a necessity not a luxury for people in coastal communities. That’s why we’ve turned the ship around – first by rolling back ferry fares on small coastal routes and now by reversing cuts to services that were making it difficult for people to get around.”

The ministry had been working with BC Ferries to respond to the BC Ferry Advisory Committee chairs’ request to restore some services cut in 2014.

In total 2,700 round trip sailings will be restored once the full program is put into motion.

The past cuts have been an issue of concern for Haida Gwaii officials and residents as well as for members or the North Coast Regional District for years.

Former Masset Mayor Andrew Merilees was one of a number of North Coast and Haida Gwaii officials to reinforce the need for better service at the September 2018 UBCM gathering.

The need for Ferry service improvement has also been a major focus for North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice who shared the news through her social media platforms.

The agreement will see a return for the services over the next year with the majority starting as early as this spring. The updates on the expanded service options will be announced through the BC Ferries website once the schedule has been determined.

The full list of those services to see the boost in frequency of sailings can be found below:

Minister Trevena also made note of the expansive nature of the Redlin report and the complex nature of the ferry service requirements, as part of the process of implementation, the province will be amending the Coastal Ferry Act to integrate Redlin's recommendations.

“The Redlin report was very comprehensive with more than 60 recommendations directed to all parties working under the unique and complex coastal ferry governance model/ One of his recommendations is to establish a long-term vision for ferries and to connect coastal communities in a more integrated manner. This is something my staff and I will be focused on.”

You can review his report here.

The provinces notes on today's announcement can be reviewed here.

For more items of note related to BC Ferries see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review