After a temporary two-month reduction in ferry fares, the Campbell government is hammering coastal communities with another fare hike that takes effect today.
Ferries critic Gary Coons noted that it cost a driver and car $37.50 to travel on the major routes yesterday, but it will cost $56 today. On minor routes, a car and driver paid $22.50 yesterday, but today they will pay $33.55.
“Gordon Campbell dropped the fares for December and January, but today they shot back up to their record high, and coastal communities are paying the price,” said Coons. “If affordable fares were good for the economy for two months, why not make them affordable year round?
“Gordon Campbell has shown he can step in and assist B.C. Ferries when it suits him, yet he is completely out of touch and nowhere to be seen at a time when coastal communities need him most.”
Coons said people in coastal B.C. are being walloped in the pocket again, thanks to the neglect of the premier.
Coons visited over 30 coastal communities last year as part of a tour on rising ferry fares. He met stakeholders and hosted public forums on Vancouver Island, the North Coast, Gulf Islands, and the Sunshine Coast.