Ferry fares not really out of line



BC Ferries' Spirit of British Columbia in Active Pass



Why would B.C. Ferries buy space rinkside at Rogers Arena? They even have a huge ad under the clock. I wonder how much those cost? Last time I checked there was no other ferry competition in BC. Where does this ad money come from, our inflated ferry rates?

This letter, by Rudy Pospisil, was recently published in The Province newspaper.

Reminds of the conversations I used to have with my father, who retired as a Captain at BC Ferries after having worked there for 42 years. “Why does BC Ferries need a marketing department,” he would often pontificate. In his mind, the real work of the ferries was done on the ships, not in some distant office, and definitely not done by some marketing people. I’m not sure that he ever bought into it, but I always told him that those marketing people help drive passengers on to the ferries, and without them he would have fewer opportunities to transport people back and forth.

Sure enough there are very few options, apart from an airplane to travel between the many islands that dot the coast and the mainland of British Columbia. And some people will have no choice but to take a ferry. But BC Ferries doesn’t hold a monopoly on where people spend their leisure dollars. And with games being televised around the world, what a splendid opportunity to promote one of the world’s finest ferry systems in the world. Yes, BC Ferries needs marketing people just as they need Captains. Some may think one is more important than the other, but in the end, each is contributing to the same goal.

But back to Pospisil’s letter and his assertion that BC Ferries' rates are inflated. (I’m sure people would still find a way to complain even if the fare was free). I wonder if Pospisil realizes the cost of operating a fleet of 36 ships to 47 ports scattered hundreds of miles along the coast of BC? Does he realize that the cost of fuel has risen sharply in recent years? Does he know that on some routes the fare charged doesn’t even come close to cover operating costs, and yet the ferry company continues to provide this public service. Furthermore, does Pospisil know what comparable ferry fares are around the world?

Tell me if you think BC Ferries’ fares are inflated. (all fares have been converted to CDN Dollars)

BC Ferries

Vancouver - Vancouver Island
Sailing time: 95 minutes

Passenger – $13.75

Car and passenger - $58.25

P&O Ferries

Dover – Calais

Sailing time: 90 minutes

Passenger - $30

Car and passenger - $40

Black Ball Ferry Co.

Port Angeles – Victoria

Sailing time: 90 minutes

Passenger - $15.50

Car and passenger - $55

Blue Star Ferries (Greece)

Naxos – Paros

Sailing time: 45 minutes

Passenger - $10

Car and passenger - $48

Inter Islander (New Zealand)

Wellington – Picton

Sailing time: 3 hours

Passenger - $51

Car and passenger - $164

Wightlink (UK)

Fishbourne – Portsmouth

Sailing time: 40 minutes

Passenger - $14

Car and passenger - $82