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January 15, 2025
Make family memories for less with $5 child fare
VICTORIA, BC – BC Ferries is gearing up for a busy travel period as families plan their getaways for the Family Day long weekend. To make travel more affordable, BC Ferries is offering a $5 child fare for pre-booked reservations on four of its busiest routes: Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay, Tsawwassen – Duke Point, Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay – Gibsons – Langdale.
The promotion, available for children ages five to 11, applies to bookings made between January 15 and February 19, 2025, for travel between February 12 and February 19, 2025.
“The $5 child fare is one way we’re making it easier for families to connect, make memories and enjoy Family Day together,” said Melanie Lucia, Vice President of Customer Experience at BC Ferries. “With the 60-year-old Queen of New Westminster still out of service and the challenges of managing an aging fleet, we’re doing everything we can to support smooth and affordable travel over the upcoming holiday weekend. At the same time, we’re focused on the long-term improvements that come with fleet renewal.”
The Queen of New Westminster is expected back in service in March.
“Our team is working hard to keep passengers moving during this busy time, but the reality is that new ships are critical to meet the expectations of our customers and keep people and goods moving on our busiest routes,” added Lucia. “The New Major Vessels project is a key part of ensuring a reliable and resilient ferry system for the future.”
The New Major Vessels project has strong public support, with a recent survey of nearly 2,000 travellers on major routes revealing that 95% of respondents back the plan to add an additional vessel to the fleet. Customers emphasized the importance of moving forward with these investments to improve their travel experience and ensure future reliability.
The BC Ferries Commissioner is gathering public feedback on the NMV project until January 17. The Commissioner will take this input into consideration in making her decision, which is expected in mid-February.
To help manage the busy Family Day weekend, BC Ferries is adding extra sailings where possible and encouraging customers to book in advance and take advantage of saver fares for off-peak travel. Walking on as a foot passenger is also a convenient option for those seeking flexibility. Travellers are also encouraged to check the Current Conditions page on the BC Ferries website or app for real-time updates.
BC Ferries is committed to balancing customer needs and keeping fares as affordable as possible with its long-term goal of creating a more reliable and sustainable ferry system for generations to come.
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