Gary Coons

VICTORIA – The B.C. Liberals are undermining the coastal ferries system by hiking fares before acting on the independent review of B.C. Ferries, say the New Democrats.

“While British Columbians continue to wait for the B.C. Liberals to live up to their promise of acting on the independent review, residents up and down the coast are going to get hit again and again with steep ferry fare increases,” said New Democrat ferries critic Gary Coons.

“Last week the Ferry Commissioner gave B.C. Ferries the go-ahead to raise fares, and they didn’t hesitate. Just one week later, B.C. Ferries announced they will raise fares on routes by as much as seven per cent.”

Coons said cities, towns and First Nations communities have already been been devastated by skyrocketing fares since the B.C. Liberals privatized our ferries in 2003.

“Businesses that rely on ferries have also been hurt,” said Coons. “The trucking industry has said that fare increases could result in job losses, and many small tourism businesses are also feeling the pinch as visiting ferry-dependent communities becomes increasingly expensive.”

When the B.C. Liberals announced a review of B.C. Ferries in July, Finance Minister Colin Hansen said, “we must ensure that services provided to ratepayers are done so in a way that is financially sustainable and provides maximum value for all British Columbians.”

“Fares have already shot up by 40 per cent on major routes and 60 per cent on minor routes since 2003,” said Coons. “The B.C. Liberals need to act on the findings of the comptroller’s report, and quit stalling.”

Coons pointed out that ridership has already dropped as a result of steep fare increases and said the downward spiral will likely continue.

“The release of the review showed a glimpse of how the ferries are run, and it raised some alarming financial questions,” said Coons. “The public learned, for example, that the CEO takes well over a million dollars per year while coastal residents are stretched thin to make important ferry trips for groceries, to get to school and for doctor’s appointments.

“It’s the first time the public has been allowed to even get a glimpse since the B.C. Liberals excluded B.C. Ferries from the Freedom of Information Act.”

Coons also said that the B.C. Liberals’ HST, which they had promised not to bring in during last spring’s election, will compound problems at B.C. Ferries once it is implemented this summer.

“Expenses for items such as safety equipment will increase for the corporation, and those increases will likely be reflected in future fare increases,” said Coons. “Customers will also pay seven per cent more for food on ferries.”

Carole James and New Democrats will continue to hold the B.C. Liberals to account for skyrocketing fares and will fight for British Columbians when the government brings forward HST legislation in March.