BC Ferries & the Sunshine Coast: **Prices subject to change without notice**

[Skook]

January 8, 2014 Update:

Did you happen to catch the BC Ferries announcement on January 2nd? No? Well, it was very brief and the timing was really bad it being only two days into the New Year with people still travelling back and forth for the holidays or too busy heading back to work.

I stumbled on the announcement by luck when I visited the Vancouver Sun online that day. I’ve been diligently checking the Coast Reporter online to see is there has been any Sunshine Coast reaction to the announcement but nothing so far. Maybe the CR staff missed the announcement, too, or maybe we have all become inured to such news, or maybe everyone is numb from the last big BC Ferry announcement in November - you know, the one with the seniors’ perk cutback and route cancellations (see post above).

Well, here is that January 2nd announcement courtesy of the Canadian Press via the Vancouver Sun:

Quote:BC Ferries to add 3.5 per cent fuel surcharge to most routes
Canadian Press January 2, 2014 12:16 PM

VICTORIA - BC Ferries is adding a 3.5 per cent fuel surcharge to most of its routes starting Jan. 17.

The ferry operator says the surcharge will apply to all routes except for sailings from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, and Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii.

In a news release, the company blames high diesel fuel costs, explaining that current prices are 14 cents per litre higher than what the province's ferry commissioner used to determine the cap on fares.

The surcharge could add several dollars to some trips, with a family of four travelling between Vancouver and Victoria paying an extra $3.25 for a one-way trip.

The company says northern sailings aren't affected because the ferry commissioner uses a different process to manage fares on those routes.

BC Ferries has taken a number of steps recently to bring down costs, including announcing plans to eliminate thousands of sailings across the province and eliminate some discounts.

According to BC Ferries' own document, here is how the fuel surcharge will play out for SC residents:

Horseshoe Bay - Langdale:
Adults: 0.50; Children (age 5-11): 0.25; Car/Pickup (under 20’): 1.70; Motorcycle: 0.85

Saltery Bay - Earl’s Cove:
Adult: 0.45; Children (age 5-11): 0.25; Car/Pickup (under 20’): 1.65; Motorcycle: 0.80

So, in just over a week’s time, what will it cost two adults in a regular vehicle to make a return trip into Vancouver? Here’s the tally:

On January 17, 2014: (29.10 + 1.00) + (49.05 + 1.70) = $80.85 (is currently $78.15)

Now, it just so happens that on April 1st, BC Ferries is raising fares by 4%. We know this already because back in March, 2013 it was announced that fares were to increase by 12% over the next three years to cover falling revenues. For the Sunshine Coast, those increases would be 4.1% (April 1, 2013), 4% (April 1, 2014) and 3.9% (April 1, 2015). So, in just under three months, with that 4% increase and the new fuel surcharge what will cost those 2 adults in a standard vehicle making that round trip to Vancouver?

On April 1, 2014: (30.26 + 1.06) + (51.01 + 1.77) = $84.10 (was to have been $81.27 - scroll to third table in this post).

What the BC Ferries January 2nd News Release does not indicate is the effect of the fuel charge on commercial vehicles, buses and RVs which are charged a fare based on vehicle length. Looks like another nail in the coffin for all the small businesses operating on the coast and islands.

The news just gets better and better for all those calling the Sunshine Coast home.

(You can access the official BC Ferries News Release here)