BC Ferries reverses course on Haida Gwaii service reductions following agreement with province

The noon hour sailings for the BC Ferrry MV Kwuna are back on
after funding was provided by the province of BC
(BC Ferries photo)

Residents on Haida Gwaii have a reprieve for now on a reduction to the daily schedule for the MV Kwuna, which had seen the 1230 sailing from Alliford Bay and 1 PM return from Skidegate axed earlier this week.

We noted that at the time, the decision to reduce the inter island schedule was made owing to reduced revenues and the impact of COVID-19 on travel.

BC Ferries announced the return of the two sailings with a Service Announcement on Thursday afternoon.

The service cut was short lived however following an announcement from the Province of British Columbia that they would be providing funding to cover off on the range of service cuts both in the north and the south.

Yesterday, Transportation Minister Claire Tevena announced the funding estimated at 180,000 dollars to temporarily suspend the cuts to 11 minor routes in the BC Ferries service listings. The Haida Gwaii run was one of a number that was reversed by the Provincial funding agreement with BC Ferries.

It's anticipated that the provincial funding will help top up the operational services until September, the BC Government is looking to access further funding from the Federal government to address some of the ongoing themes of funding for the marine network in the province.

Service on the Prince Rupert-Central Coast-Port Hardy route had not been impacted by the BC Ferries reductions, though while charging the spring rates, the north south route still runs on the winter schedule and currently has no food service options available for passengers.

For more notes related to BC Ferries service on the North and Central Coast as well as Haida Gwaii see our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.