Post by ferryfast admin on Jan 21, 2006 4:26:55 GMT -5
B.C. Ferries raises ticket prices
Last Updated Fri, 20 Jan 2006 18:25:01 EST
CBC News
Passengers on British Columbia's ferry routes will be paying a little more starting next month, as the latest fuel surcharge takes effect.
The province's ferry commissioner has approved a surcharge of 1.5 per cent on the major routes between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland - and three per cent on all other routes.
The Spirit of Vancouver leaves the terminal in Tsawwassen, B.C. (CP file photo)
The fare boost follows an earlier fuel surcharged levied last July - four per cent on major routes and six per cent on the smaller runs.
The commissioner notes that fuel prices in the second half of 2005 were significantly higher than forecast when that increase took effect.
Passengers could face another surcharge this June, if current fuel price forecasts hold up. B.C. Ferries is projecting a fuel bill of $76 million in 2006, up from $50 million last year.
B.C. Ferries president David Hahn doesn't see an end to the upward spiral in fares, citing international events that are driving up the price of fuel.
"The crazy excuses, Iranian nuclear threats or Nigerian unrest, I shake my head when I hear it. It was hurricanes before. It's a very crazy market, and unfortunately we're stuck with it just like Air Canada and any other transportation companies," said Hahn.
As if to underscore Hahn's comments oil prices climbed above $68 US a barrel, with the increase blamed on jittery trading influenced by the Iranian nuclear dispute, unrest in Nigeria, and new threats of terrorist attacks in the United States by al-Qaeda.
Last Updated Fri, 20 Jan 2006 18:25:01 EST
CBC News
Passengers on British Columbia's ferry routes will be paying a little more starting next month, as the latest fuel surcharge takes effect.
The province's ferry commissioner has approved a surcharge of 1.5 per cent on the major routes between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland - and three per cent on all other routes.
The Spirit of Vancouver leaves the terminal in Tsawwassen, B.C. (CP file photo)
The fare boost follows an earlier fuel surcharged levied last July - four per cent on major routes and six per cent on the smaller runs.
The commissioner notes that fuel prices in the second half of 2005 were significantly higher than forecast when that increase took effect.
Passengers could face another surcharge this June, if current fuel price forecasts hold up. B.C. Ferries is projecting a fuel bill of $76 million in 2006, up from $50 million last year.
B.C. Ferries president David Hahn doesn't see an end to the upward spiral in fares, citing international events that are driving up the price of fuel.
"The crazy excuses, Iranian nuclear threats or Nigerian unrest, I shake my head when I hear it. It was hurricanes before. It's a very crazy market, and unfortunately we're stuck with it just like Air Canada and any other transportation companies," said Hahn.
As if to underscore Hahn's comments oil prices climbed above $68 US a barrel, with the increase blamed on jittery trading influenced by the Iranian nuclear dispute, unrest in Nigeria, and new threats of terrorist attacks in the United States by al-Qaeda.