WHEREAS coastal ferry customers have recently been burdened with a number of substantial increases to ferry fares, which are being attributed to a number of factors including reduced provincial subsidies to the BC Ferry Corporation, fuel surcharges and user-pay policies; AND WHEREAS extra charges to customers on coastal ferry routes are unfair because ferries are as essential as any other components of our provincial transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges, rapid transit and buses and all other forms of transportation continue to be substantially supported by government taxes and subsidies: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities petition the provincial government to work with local government and ferry advisory commissions to ensure that coastal ferries remain an affordable and viable part of British Columbias transportation network.
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION Taxpayers now contribute more than 130 million a year to guarantee service levels for minor, northern and Sunshine Coast ferry routes. In fact, the amount of taxpayer contribution to BC Ferries has not been reduced. The Ministry of Transportation Ministry recently contributed an additional 7 million to BC Ferries to help defray increased fuel costs, and we will be providing millions more in the future to help cover the cost of northern routes with new ferries. These contributions will keep ferry fares down on all non-major routes, not just the northern ones. Taxpayers also provide about 15 million of additional funding annually to keep costs affordable for seniors, students, disabled residents and those traveling for medical reasons. British Columbians made it very clear they wanted government to get out of the business of ferries. BC Ferries was changed to an independent company to resolve longstanding problems, and to create a coastal ferry system that would be sustainable into the future. Many British Columbians would welcome more transportation investment in their area, and were working hard to provide a safe and efficient transportation network for everyone. The Ministry cannot justify delaying other important projects in order to reduce the cost of ferry travel even more than we are already doing. The Coastal Ferry Services Contract guarantees service levels and ferry users will continue to be protected by an independent ferry commissioner who ensures that any fare increases reflect real changes in the cost of providing this vital service. BC Ferries faces restrictions on how much it can increase fares across the system. This is a vital protection for ferry ratepayers that our government put in place with the implementation of the Coastal Ferry Act. The BC Ferry Commissioner, BC Ferries, and the Ministry all play a part to ensure a safe and sustainable ferry system. The Ferry Advisory Committees also does a good job of keeping the Ministry aware of community views. The Ministry supports BC Ferries, but the reality is that the costs of providing ferry service along the coast demand that fares be charged to assist in keeping the system running.