BC Ferries says it’s gearing up for what’s expected to be a record-breaking year for the company as the busy summer travel season approaches.
The company estimates that between June 1 and Sept. 5, a record-setting eight million people will travel aboard its ferries, as well 3.2 million vehicles.
That’s up from 7.8 million passengers during the same period last year, who travelled with three million vehicles.
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To prepare for the summer season, BC Ferries says it will be adding nearly 350 extra sailings during the peak travel season, and will be removing its four per cent fuel surcharge from all fares, “increasing affordability for customers.”
It’s also conducting its regular fleet maintenance earlier than ever before to make sure all 37 of its vessels are ready to travel this summer.
“Whether we’re part of a customer’s daily commute, day-to-day travel needs or vacation plans, summer is the most popular time of year to travel on B.C.’s beautiful coast,” said BC Ferries president and CEO Nicolas Jimenez in a release Wednesday.
“With all hands on deck, we’re readying our vessels and crew to help make this a safe, smooth and fun travel season,” he said.
The company says it has almost finished the hiring process for 600 new staff members, and that it will be adding a third vessel to the Tsawwassen and Duke Point for the summer, as well as an extra morning sailing between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen.
In an attempt to reduce waits, BC Ferries also expanded its “Saver fare” program in April to include both walk-on passengers and overheight vehicles to try to encourage travellers to take non-peak sailings.
This week, the company also announced it would be offering free menstrual products in washrooms aboard its vessels and at its terminals, and that it would be converting more than 300 single-washrooms into gender neutral washrooms.
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