22-043
October 4, 2022
More ships more service
BC Ferries’ four year plan now open for public feedback
VICTORIA – Modernization and replacement of vessels, terminals and IT systems are the centrepieces of BC Ferries’ Performance Term Six submission provided to the BC Ferries Commissioner recently for rate determination activities.
The 12-Year Capital Plan responds to anticipated passenger and vehicle growth and changing customer needs. It includes:
- Building seven new major vessels to replace six existing ships, and an incremental vessel to support growth and improve resiliency
- Building four more Island Class vessels to improve capacity on inter-island routes
- Two new Island Class to serve the Crofton – Salt Spring Island route
- One new Island Class to serve the Quadra Island – Cortes Island route
- One new Island Class to serve as a relief vessel and allow for the redeployment of existing vessels to support growth on several routes.
In addition to investments included in the 12-Year Capital Plan, BC Ferries is planning customer enhancements including:
- Expanding two-ship operation on the Horseshoe Bay – Langdale route during peak season to increase sailing frequency.
- Increasing sailing frequency between Nanaimo and Metro Vancouver to better support changing travel patterns.
- Providing an additional sailing each week in peak season between Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii.
- Deploying a second vessel on the Swartz Bay – Salt Spring Island route in peak season.
- Deploying a larger vessel on the Denman Island – Hornby Island route in peak season.
BC Ferries’ submission provides information to assist the Commissioner in setting price caps for all regulated routes as specified in the Coastal Ferry Services Contract between BC Ferries and the Province of British Columbia from April 1, 2024 – March 31, 2028.
The Commissioner takes into consideration operating and capital costs, as well as the service fees and service levels set by the Province in determining the price caps.
The submission is comprised of:
- Overview of BC Ferries
- Performance Term Five (April 1, 2020 – March 31, 2024)
- Performance Term Six Outlook including:
- Long Term Traffic Demand Outlook (fiscal years 2023 through 2034)
- Performance Term Six Strategic Focus, including:
- Capacity Review and Service Enhancement Strategies
- People and Culture – Workforce Planning Strategies
- Indigenous Relations
- Emission Reduction Strategies
- Strategies to Evolve with Travel Behaviour Changes
- Efficiency Improvement Strategies
- Capital Plan (fiscal years 2023 through 2034).
These documents are now posted on the Commissioner’s website bcferrycommission.ca for public feedback.
The performance term process concludes with the Commissioner establishing price caps for routes specified in the Contract. A price cap is the maximum average fare to be collected each year during the four-year performance term.
The Commissioner will make a final determination on the Performance Term Six price caps by September 30, 2023.
- 30 -
Media Contact:BC Ferries, Media Relations
Victoria: (250) 978-1267
Customer Contact:
Victoria: (250) 410-1465
Toll-free: 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779)
Note to newsrooms: For urgent media inquiries off-hours, call our emergency line at (250) 516-7211.