Post by ferryfast admin on Nov 26, 2011 13:19:58 GMT -5
B.C. Ferries surcharge to rise 2.5%
Island-to-mainland routes are affected
By Darrell Bellaart, Daily News
Canada.Com
www.canada.com/Ferries+surcharge+rise/5771939/story.html
November 26, 2011
Travellers already unhappy with rising transportation costs are being hit with another increase, as B.C. Ferries hikes its fuel surcharge on major routes between Vancouver Island with the mainland.
Rising fuel costs are behind a doubling of the B.C. Ferries fuel surcharge to 5% on major routes, effective Dec.12.
This increase is being imposed because of higher costs to buy marine fuel. The company expects its fuel costs will hit more than $120 million in the 2011-12 fiscal year.
The increase comes just weeks before David Hahn steps down as B.C. Ferries CEO on Dec. 31. It brings major routes in line with most minor routes, serving the Gulf Islands, where the 5% surcharge rate is already in place.
News of the surcharge increase was an otherwise sour note for those at the Departure Bay terminal heading to Vancouver to attend Sunday's Grey Cup football game at B.C. Place.
"It's getting ridiculous, it really is," said Dana McComber, of Nanoose Bay. "It's disconcerting that our highway is increasingly taxed."
He said the effect of fare hikes and surcharges is reduced Island travel and tourism.
"They should be subsidizing ferries more, as a highway. In the very least they should be offering some relief to Island residents."
The three major routes between Vancouver Island and the Mainland will see the surcharge rise to 5% from 2.5%, B.C. Ferries announced Friday. A surcharge of 2.5% will be added on the Horseshoe BayLangdale route.
New rates on the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay run, the Duke Point-Tsawwassen sailing and the Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen route will be: $2.35 for cars or pickup trucks, $1.15 for motorcycles, 27 cents per foot for commercial vehicles, 19 cents per foot for buses, 70 cents per adult and 35 cents per child.
"That's going to bump it up to over $15," said Shirley Chamberlain of Parksville, a walk-on passenger. "I think it's pretty steep."
Courtenay retiree "Baz" Bazylinksi called it a "money grab."
B.C. Ferries pays $1.09 a litre for diesel in Tsawwassen, up from 90 cents over summer.
"What it means for customers on the Departure Bay Run, if you're travelling in a vehicle you're paying another $1.55 for car and driver," said B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall.
"We're certainly looking at ways of reducing fuel consumption."
Replacing larger spirit-class vessels with C-class ferries for the winter saves 1,400 litres per round trip. A cable ferry proposed for Denman Island is expected to cut fuel consumption by two-thirds. B.C. Ferries is also considering converting some vessels to liquefied natural gas, which could cut fuel costs to one-ninth of current costs.
Minor routes where the surcharge is already at 5% will not see an increase. No surcharges are in place on the Port HardyPrince Rupert and Prince Rupert-Haida Gwaii runs.
DBellaart@nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4235
Island-to-mainland routes are affected
By Darrell Bellaart, Daily News
Canada.Com
www.canada.com/Ferries+surcharge+rise/5771939/story.html
November 26, 2011
Travellers already unhappy with rising transportation costs are being hit with another increase, as B.C. Ferries hikes its fuel surcharge on major routes between Vancouver Island with the mainland.
Rising fuel costs are behind a doubling of the B.C. Ferries fuel surcharge to 5% on major routes, effective Dec.12.
This increase is being imposed because of higher costs to buy marine fuel. The company expects its fuel costs will hit more than $120 million in the 2011-12 fiscal year.
The increase comes just weeks before David Hahn steps down as B.C. Ferries CEO on Dec. 31. It brings major routes in line with most minor routes, serving the Gulf Islands, where the 5% surcharge rate is already in place.
News of the surcharge increase was an otherwise sour note for those at the Departure Bay terminal heading to Vancouver to attend Sunday's Grey Cup football game at B.C. Place.
"It's getting ridiculous, it really is," said Dana McComber, of Nanoose Bay. "It's disconcerting that our highway is increasingly taxed."
He said the effect of fare hikes and surcharges is reduced Island travel and tourism.
"They should be subsidizing ferries more, as a highway. In the very least they should be offering some relief to Island residents."
The three major routes between Vancouver Island and the Mainland will see the surcharge rise to 5% from 2.5%, B.C. Ferries announced Friday. A surcharge of 2.5% will be added on the Horseshoe BayLangdale route.
New rates on the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay run, the Duke Point-Tsawwassen sailing and the Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen route will be: $2.35 for cars or pickup trucks, $1.15 for motorcycles, 27 cents per foot for commercial vehicles, 19 cents per foot for buses, 70 cents per adult and 35 cents per child.
"That's going to bump it up to over $15," said Shirley Chamberlain of Parksville, a walk-on passenger. "I think it's pretty steep."
Courtenay retiree "Baz" Bazylinksi called it a "money grab."
B.C. Ferries pays $1.09 a litre for diesel in Tsawwassen, up from 90 cents over summer.
"What it means for customers on the Departure Bay Run, if you're travelling in a vehicle you're paying another $1.55 for car and driver," said B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall.
"We're certainly looking at ways of reducing fuel consumption."
Replacing larger spirit-class vessels with C-class ferries for the winter saves 1,400 litres per round trip. A cable ferry proposed for Denman Island is expected to cut fuel consumption by two-thirds. B.C. Ferries is also considering converting some vessels to liquefied natural gas, which could cut fuel costs to one-ninth of current costs.
Minor routes where the surcharge is already at 5% will not see an increase. No surcharges are in place on the Port HardyPrince Rupert and Prince Rupert-Haida Gwaii runs.
DBellaart@nanaimodailynews.com 250-729-4235