BC Ferries

BC Ferries Urges Long Weekend Passengers to Book Early Amid Limited Capacity

VICTORIA, BC – With the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Thanksgiving long weekends fast approaching, BC Ferries is advising passengers to book in advance due to limited capacity and the risk of being turned away. The 60-year-old Queen of New Westminster is undergoing significant repairs and will be out of service until spring, reducing overall system capacity and making advance travel planning essential. “Both of these long weekends are an important time for families and communities to connect, and we play a key role in facilitating those connections,” said Mel Lucia, Vice President of Customer Experience at BC Ferries. “We’re adding capacity where possible but having one of our major route vessels out of service and no resiliency in our fleet presents a challenge. Passengers are encouraged to book in advance, consider travelling during off-peak times, or walk on board to avoid disruptions during these busy periods.” To manage demand over both long weekends,…

New Major Vessels to Increase Capacity and Reliability

Victoria, BC - BC Ferries is taking a major step forward in its New Major Vessels (NMV) project, marking a critical milestone in the company’s largest capital investment ever. To address projected population growth, replace aging vessels, and meet customer expectations, BC Ferries is now continuing the procurement process for the first five of seven new vessels needed for its busiest routes, with the remaining two new vessels to be built in a later phase. Additionally, work will be planned to extend the operational life of two existing C-Class vessels, the Queen of Surrey and the Queen of Oak Bay, through local shipyards and contractors. “Our customers have been clear – they expect reliable service and affordable fares, and this approach directly addresses both,” says Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO of BC Ferries. “By adopting a phased strategy, we can responsibly increase capacity and resilience while carefully managing our investments to minimize fare pressures for …

BC Ferries’ People Receive Substantial Wage Increase

VICTORIA – BC Ferries’ unionized team members are set to receive a one-year 7.75 per cent general wage increase, with many jobs receiving extra “special increases” including some licensed mariners receiving up to an additional 10.0 per cent, better reflecting the significant daily contributions they make and more closely aligning their pay with compensation standards across the industry. Today’s settlement is retroactive to October 1, 2023. “We know wages haven’t kept up for our people and that more was needed for us to get back to being an employer of choice. I’m grateful to our people for the patience they demonstrated over the last few months,” said Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO of BC Ferries. “Getting to this point has been a long time coming. The offer we put on the table six months ago was a very good one then, and it’s still a very good one today – even more so when you consider it’s a one-year increase. In fact, it's one of the largest increases in the compan…

BC Ferries: Discount Fares Available

MORE DISCOUNT FARES AVAILABLE VICTORIA – Customers can expect to have more opportunity – and more choice – in booking discounted fares to travel with BC Ferries from April 1 onwards. More than double the amount of people travelling between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island will now benefit from discounts by booking Saver fares. In addition, cancellation fees are being reduced for Prepaid and Saver fares to give passengers more flexibility should their plans change. New savings will be offered to customers or families who carpool and book in advance, or who take alternative modes of transportation, helping make it less busy at the terminals. Specifically, savings will increase for those who book a Saver fare and are travelling together in the same vehicle. Also, a new Foot Passenger Saver Fare of $15 is being introduced for select sailings, when booked and paid for in advance. “By offering more discounts for those who book and pay in advance, we expect less conges…

BC Ferries cancels all remaining Crofton-Vesuvius ferries for Monday, January 23rd, 2023

BC Ferries Service notice for Crofton - Salt Spring Island (Vesuvius Bay) for Saturday, January 23rd issued at 2:11 pm As BC Ferries has been unsuccessful in securing the required number of crew on the Quinitsa, the following sailings for today, January 23, between Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island) and Crofton have been cancelled: Cancelled Sailings today, Monday, January 23: 3:00 pm departing Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island) 3:35 pm departing Crofton 4:15 pm departing Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island) 4:50 pm departing Crofton 5:30 pm departing Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island) 6:05 pm departing Crofton 6:45 pm departing Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island) 7:55 pm departing Crofton 8:30 pm departing Vesuvius bay (Salt Spring Island) 9:00 pm departing Crofton 9:30 pm departing Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island) 10:00 pm departing Crofton Earlier sailings on this route are expected to proceed as scheduled. A 10 person water taxi has been sourced and will…

BC Ferries cancels all remaining Crofton-Vesuvius ferries for Saturday, January 21st, 2023

BC Ferries Service notice for Crofton - Salt Spring Island (Vesuvius Bay) for Saturday, January 21st issued at 12:10 pm As BC Ferries has been unsuccessful in securing the required number of crew on the Quinitsa, today's remaining sailings starting with the 3:00 pm departing Vesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island) and 3:35 pm departing Crofton have been cancelled. Earlier sailings on this route are expected to proceed as scheduled. A 10-passenger complimentary water taxi has been sourced and will operate on the regular route's schedule as follows:

BC Ferries records another record level of vehicle traffic over the second quarter of 2022

BC Ferries released its second quarter results today for the three and six months ending September 30, 2022. Vehicle and passenger traffic, revenue and net earnings are all higher compared to the same periods in the prior year. For the six months ending September 30, 2022, 5.4 million vehicles were carried, up 4 percent as compared to 5.2 million in the same period in fiscal 2020, pre-COVID. “As a result of our employees’ commitment to our customers and communities, we hit a new record for vehicle traffic levels and delivered 1,700 more round trips during the first half of the fiscal year,” said Jill Sharland, BC Ferries’ Interim President and CEO. “Our service is an integral part of British Columbia’s transportation system and I cannot thank the staff enough for going above and beyond to keep the system moving.” In the three months ending September 30, 2022, BC Ferries carried 7.5 million passengers and 3.0 million vehicles, compared to 7.0 million passengers and 3.…

BC Ferries’ four year plan open for public feedback for changes on Salt Spring Island

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…

BC Ferries temporary vessel replacement for Vesuvius - Crofton

The Quinsam will be undergoing required maintenance and will be replaced by the Quinitsa on the Vesuvius (Salt Spring Island) – Crofton (Vancouver Island) route from Monday, October 24 to Monday, December 12, 2022. We advise customers that the overall capacity of the Quinitsa is less than the vessel it is temporarily replacing, and can carry up to 44 vehicles. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by the alternate vessel’s reduced capacity and look forward to the Quinsam returning to service after its required maintenance period.

BC Ferries crewing challenges expected for peak summer season

As experienced throughout the fall and winter of 2021/22, the impact of crew shortages at BC Ferries is expected to continue through the spring and into summer, affecting sailing times and plans to provide additional service on some routes. BC Ferries is not alone in facing recruitment challenges. The states of Washington and Alaska, along with New Zealand and interior ferries here in B.C. have announced the impact crew shortages are having on sailings and the level of service they can provide. Higher than expected retirements in key shipboard positions, the impact of vaccination policies and difficulties recruiting international candidates due to COVID-19, as well as the 25-year global shortage of professional mariners are expected to pose ongoing challenges to hiring sufficient employees for what is expected to be a busier than usual peak summer season. Adding to crewing challenges are changing travel patterns coming out of the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sp…

Potential BC Ferries service interruptions due to crew shortages

Like many other transportation providers, BC Ferries is anticipating that a combination of issues may result in unplanned service disruptions on all routes, and particularly on inter-island routes, over the coming months. There is no single factor driving service interruptions. It is a combination including the Omicron variant's potential to impact employee wellness, regular cold and flu season, severe winter storms, vaccination policies that have reduced crew availability and the global shortage of professional mariners making it difficult to hire replacement staff. Crewing is a complex, logistical task that considers the individual's qualifications and the number of skilled mariners required for the various roles onboard each vessel, as well as where they live and work. Regulations require these positions to be filled with the appropriate crew, or the vessel cannot sail. Even a small number of crew that are unavailable to sail can have a significant impact on service if…

Rising cost of fuel leads BC Ferries to remove fuel rebate

Due to market conditions and rising fuel costs, the 0.5 per cent fuel rebate applied to fares will be removed on December 1. BC Ferries closely monitors the cost of fuel and applies a rebate or surcharge, or neither, under a regulatory process that is independent of fares. This will result in customers no longer receiving a rebate of 10 cents for an adult passenger and 30 cents for a vehicle on the Metro Vancouver – Vancouver Island routes, and approximately 5 cents for an adult and 10 cents for a vehicle on inter-island routes. Over the past 17 years, BC Ferries has been using a fuel rebate/surcharge mechanism to manage the volatility in the price of fuel. When fuel prices are lower, BC Ferries passes lower fuel prices on to customers through a fuel rebate. When fuel prices are higher, BC Ferries charges a fuel surcharge specifically designed to cover the additional cost of fuel only. There have also been periods with neither. The company does not benefit financially fro…

BC Ferries reminds customers travel restrictions Order in effect

In advance of the May long weekend, which is typically a popular travel time, BC Ferries is reminding customers that the Province’s travel restrictions Order remains in effect and travel is limited to essential reasons only. No additional sailings are scheduled this long weekend. BC Ferries continues to deny travel to customers travelling for non-essential reasons on routes crossing regional zones as defined in the Order announced on April 23, 2021. This affects the following routes: Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay Tsawwassen – Duke Point Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay Comox – Powell River Port Hardy – Prince Rupert Customers travelling on these routes are asked if their travel is essential, and denied passage if it is not essential. Customers travelling on routes that operate within the same regional zone are reminded they should be avoiding non-essential travel at this time. The Province defines situations that qualify as es…

BC Ferries and First Peoples' Cultural Council Announce Name of New Salish-Class Vessel and Call for Artists

In recognition of the Coast Salish as the traditional stewards and original mariners of the Salish Sea, BC Ferries has named its new Salish-Class ferry Salish Heron. BC Ferries will honour the Salish Heron name with Coast Salish artwork on the exterior and interior of the vessel, and is partnering with the First Peoples' Cultural Council once again to facilitate the commission of an original design from a B.C. Coast Salish artist. Salish Heron is the fourth Salish-Class vessel to join BC Ferries’ fleet and will sail in the Southern Gulf Islands starting in 2022. Salish Orca, Salish Eagle, and Salish Raven entered service in 2017, sailing between Comox and Powell River and in the Southern Gulf Islands. BC Ferries held a public naming contest for the Salish-Class ferries in 2015. Salish Heron was among the shortlisted names because it reflects both the West Coast travel experience and the culture of British Columbia. A Call to Coast Salish artists is now open to invite expr…

COVID-19: BC Ferries Encourages Essential Travel Only This Holiday Season

Delivery of goods and holiday packages remain a priority - BC Ferries is advising customers to avoid non-essential travel over the holiday period, in keeping with direction provided by the Province of British Columbia. The company continues to transport commercial traffic, delivering essential goods and services to coastal communities. Commercial traffic, in fact, is as strong or stronger across all routes than for this same period last year. For customers who need to travel for essential reasons, BC Ferries offers the following advice to support safe travel this holiday season: Plan in advance. Priority will be to keep essential goods, groceries, holiday letters and packages moving. Book in advance. This guarantees passengers travel on the sailing of their choice. BC Ferries recently launched a new mobile-friendly website that makes it easier for customers to book and manage their bookings online. For full schedule information, current conditions and bookings, pleas…

COVID-19: Transport Canada Rescinds Option to Remain on Enclosed Vehicle Decks

BC Ferries is informing customers that as of Sept. 30, 2020, Transport Canada is rescinding the temporary flexibility it granted to ferry operators allowing passengers to remain in their vehicle on enclosed vehicle decks. Transport Canada granted this flexibility in the spring in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. BC Ferries must comply with Transport Canada regulations and the company supports the regulation and its intent. Enclosed car decks are spaces that represent inherent risk to the travelling public. During the pandemic these risks were mitigated with additional safety procedures and patrols. However, Transport Canada has now advised BC Ferries that measures have been developed and implemented to prevent the spread of the disease in all transportation modes and businesses across Canada. They have further advised the marine safety case for ending the practice of permitting people to remain in their vehicles on enclosed car deck is clear. BC Ferries has implemented …

COVID-19: BC Ferries Receives Federal Funding the Safe Restart Agreement

BC Ferries is pleased to hear confirmation that the company is eligible for funding from the federal and provincial governments under the Safe Restart Agreement. We have been collaborating with both levels of government over the past several months regarding the significant impact of the pandemic on the coastal ferry system. We welcome the news of potential financial assistance for ferry users and coastal communities, and appreciate the efforts of both the Province and the federal government. BC Ferries has delivered safe, affordable and reliable lifeline ferry service to coastal communities throughout the pandemic, operating in the public interest regardless of financial losses. Ferry system reliability and accessibility are near all-time highs. In recent weeks to meet increased demand BC Ferries has maintained ferry system capacity approximately 20 per cent higher than demand to ensure access for essential goods, workers, travellers and residents, and will continue to do s…

COVID-19: BC Ferries Implements Transport Canada’s Face Coverings Requirement Today

Effective today, passengers travelling with BC Ferries will be required to be in possession of a face covering that covers their mouth and nose, and asked to wear this covering in situations when a physical separation of two metres cannot be maintained. This Transport Canada directive applies to all passengers over the age of two, including those passengers travelling in a vehicle. On sailings longer than 30 minutes, passengers will be asked to confirm they have a face covering and are willing to wear it when necessary. If a passenger answers ‘no’, or fails to answer, they will be unable to travel. For routes under 30 minutes, BC Ferries requests customers possess a face covering to wear if they cannot maintain appropriate physical distancing. On all routes, BC Ferries requests customers remain in their vehicle for the entire sailing if possible. Customers must also bring their own face coverings as BC Ferries will not be supplying them to travellers. As defined by the…

COVID-19: BC Ferries Implements Requirement for Passenger Face Coverings

In keeping with directives and guidance provided by Transport Canada, passengers travelling with BC Ferries will be required to be in possession of a face covering that covers their mouth and nose, and asked to wear this covering in situations when a physical separation of two metres cannot be maintained. This directive goes into effect on June 15 for routes longer than 30 minutes and applies to all passengers over the age of two, including those passengers travelling in a vehicle. Passengers will be asked to confirm they have a face covering and are willing to wear it when necessary. If a passenger answers ‘no’, or fails to answer, they will be unable to travel. Customers must bring their own face coverings as BC Ferries will not be supplying them to travellers. As defined by the Public Health Agency of Canada, a face covering should fit securely to the head with ties or ear loops, be made of at least two layers of tightly woven material fabric (such as cotton or linen) …

COVID-19: BC Ferries To Resume Long Harbour Ferry Service

Service to return to seasonal service levels to respond to growing demand - In collaboration with the Province, BC Ferries is increasing service on routes to the Southern Gulf Islands as of June 9, 2020 to match capacity with demand and better meet the needs of customers. This includes the re-opening of the Long Harbour terminal on Salt Spring Island. Demand on the Southern Gulf Island routes continues to grow. Effective June 9, 2020, the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Salt Spring Island (Long Harbour) service will resume and the Victoria (Swartz Bay) – Southern Gulf Islands route will return to winter seasonal service levels. The routes will revert to the sailing times customers are used to seeing and are expected to alleviate the current demand pressures. Bookings for the Tsawwassen – Long Harbour route June 9 onwards are now open. Existing bookings made by customers on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route between June 9 and June 23 will be cancelled and the reservati…

COVID-19: BC Ferries Adjusts Southern Gulf Islands Routes Effective April 10th, 2020

BC Ferries is adjusting the schedule on the Metro Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Southern Gulf Islands and Victoria (Swartz Bay) – Southern Gulf Islands routes effective April 10.

The simplified schedule supports the movement of essential goods to the islands and provides options for inter-island travel. We are currently working on updating the online schedules and they will be available shortly. In the meantime, the new schedule is available here.

In addition, service between Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island and Tsawwassen will be suspended during which time the Island will continue to be served by its other two routes, Swartz Bay – Fulford Harbour and Crofton – Vesuvius. ThruFare service will be available to customers needing an essential travel option to or from the Mainland.

These changes are in effect for 60 days and will be re-evaluated on a month…

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