The BC Ferries fleet will see four new ships, replacing some of their aging vessels after the British Columbia Ferry Commission approved the capital expenditure to purchase the new ships.
“I’m very pleased to be able to approve the replacement of the fleet’s four oldest major vessels,” noted BC ferry commissioner Eva Hage in a news release. “It will mean a vast improvement in service, reliability, and capacity on BC Ferries’ busiest routes.”
The new vessels will replace the Queens of Alberni, New Westminster, Coquitlam, and Cowichan – the oldest major ships in BC Ferries’ fleet. A fifth ship that was proposed was not approved by the commissioner as It would put even more upward pressure on fares and place a greater burden on taxpayers.
“Replacing the legacy vessels is essential in order to maintain safe, reliable service on the main routes,” noted Hage in the release. “These four ferries are reaching the end of their lives, and additional life extensions are not an option. Investing further in them would simply delay the inevitable expenditure; at the same time, it would increase the risk of mechanical breakdowns and service disruptions."
B.C. Premier David Eby said the new vessels will assist with stability in the fleet and explained how important the commissioners' role is in critically looking at BC Ferry's request and their ability to cover the costs.
On April 1, BC Ferries will be increasing fares by 3.2 per cent, with drive-up fares on major routes seeing an increase of 90 cents for adults and $7.60 for standard vehicles, and drive-up fares on minor routes will see smaller increases, averaging approximately 25 to 50 cents for adult passengers and 70 cents to $2 for a standard vehicle.
