VICTORIA – BC Ferries is advising customers that due to current fuel market conditions, the company will increase the fuel surcharge from 1.0 per cent to 2.5 per cent on June 1. BC Ferries closely monitors the cost of fuel and applies a rebate or surcharge, or neither, under a regulatory process that is set by the BC Ferries Commissioner.
Here is an example of what a 2.5 per cent fuel surcharge will be: .45 cents for an adult and
$2.00 for a vehicle and driver on the Metro Vancouver – Vancouver Island routes, and .25 cents for an adult and $1.05 for a vehicle and driver on a variety of inter-island routes.
Over the past 18 years, BC Ferries has been using a fuel rebate/surcharge mechanism to manage the volatility in the price of fuel. When fuel prices are lower, BC Ferries passes lower fuel prices on to customers through a fuel rebate. When fuel prices are higher, BC Ferries charges a fuel surcharge specifically designed to cover the additional cost of fuel. There have also been periods with neither. The company does not benefit financially from surcharges or rebates.
BC Ferries has made significant investments to reduce its consumption of fuel and use cleaner, lower cost fuels, such as liquefied natural gas to replace the use of ultra-low sulphur diesel fuels. The company is also introducing battery-equipped ships designed for future full electric operation when shore charging infrastructure can be installed in B.C. Despite initiatives to burn fuel more efficiently, a fuel surcharge is necessary at this time.
On June 1, a 2.5 per cent fuel surcharge will also be implemented on the Port Hardy – Prince Rupert, Prince Rupert – Haida Gwaii and Port Hardy – Central Coast routes. Currently there is neither a fuel surcharge nor rebate on those routes.
Exact surcharge charged depends on customer’s fare choice.
For example on routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island the fuel surcharge for a vehicle and driver:
- $49 Saver fare will be $1.20
- $80 At Terminal fare will be $2.00
- $87.50 Prepaid fare will be $2.15
For customers travelling on shorter routes up and down the coast the fuel surcharge reflects the fares charged on each route. For example surcharge for vehicle and driver Standard fare for
- Routes from Vancouver Island to Salt Spring Island will be $1.05
- Route from Buckley Bay to Denman Island will be .75 cents
