20-037
July 30, 2020
Province removes priority boarding for residents of ferry sailing destinations
VICTORIA – Today, the Province amended Ministerial Order (MO84) to remove priority loading for residents of ferry sailing destinations. BC Ferries will implement this change starting tomorrow, July 31, 2020.
Order in Council No. 451 repeals section 10 (1) (b) of Ministerial Order MO84. Here is the excerpt:
10 (1) British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. and all other ferry operators within the Province which carry both vehicles and passengers must implement all procedures necessary to ensure priority loading on ferries for the following:
(a) vehicles carrying essential goods and supplies;
(b) residents of ferry sailing destinations.
10 (1) British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. and all other ferry operators within the Province which carry both vehicles and passengers must implement all procedures necessary to ensure priority loading on ferries for the following:
(a) vehicles carrying essential goods and supplies;
In line with the amendment, starting tomorrow, BC Ferries will return to providing equal access to all customers without reservations, with the exception of vehicles carrying essential goods and supplies as defined in MO84. These vehicles will continue to receive priority loading. Drivers of vehicles carrying essential good and supplies should inform the ticket agent when arriving at the ticket booth.
“More and more British Columbians are choosing to vacation at home this summer, and we are working to balance all the needs and pressures on the ferry system,” said Corrine Storey, BC Ferries’ Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “We know that many communities want to bring back tourism while ensuring safety in the communities to restart their economies. We believe this amendment to the Ministerial Order will help. BC Ferries will continue to load reserved traffic as booked and standby vehicles carrying essential goods on the next available sailing, before other customers.”
BC Ferries requires customers to possess a face covering and wear it when physical distancing of two metres cannot be maintained. Please continue to follow Dr. Bonnie Henry’s advice to be kind, be calm, and be safe. Vessel and terminal staff are working hard to adjust to changing circumstances and to implement protocols and procedures that keep everyone safe and healthy.
“We recognize all these changes have been frustrating for some customers. We ask that you bear with us as we monitor and respond to what is happening as quickly as we can,” adds Storey. “We are all in this together and we appreciate your patience as our team works to navigate this new normal. We have a zero-tolerance policy for abuse of our workers, which includes verbal abuse. We take this issue so seriously that abuse of any kind may result in denial of service.”
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Media Contact:
BC Ferries, Communications
Victoria: (250) 978-1267
Customer Contact:
Victoria: (250) 386-3431
Toll-free: 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779)