Sea Fares Continue To Rise In British Columbia

August 4, 2008 8:08 a.m. EST

Vancouver, British Columbia (AHN) - Travelers in the coastal communities of British Columbia using B.C. Ferries were charged fuel surcharges of up to 17.6 percent starting Friday. In the next years until 2012, fares are expected to increase by a minimum of four percent for minor routes and 5.7 percent for major routes annually.

The Province reported that heads of the various advisory committees of B.C. Ferries are seeking an audience with Transport Minister Kevin Falcon to discuss a "southern strategy" to address increasing sea travel fares brought about by soaring fuel prices.

This was the second fare hike for the year. In April, fare prices increased by an average of 7.3 percent.

The increasing ferry tickets have already impacted passenger and cargo traffic in the province especially the economies of ferry-dependent communities affecting livelihood, tourism, food costs and services.

Surcharges raised ticket prices by 12.6 percent on the Bowen Island route, 10.3 percent between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo, and 9.2 percent to the Sunshine Coast.

Fares for the 18 minor routes, largely serving the Gulf Islands, have doubled in the last five years

Since 2005, passenger traffic slumped on the minor routes including Horseshoe Bay to Langdale from 10.42 million to 10.38 million.