Protests mount over increasing ferry prices

"We support a return of B.C. Ferries to a Crown Corporation model that realizes the importance of ferries as an essential service,"-- NDP MLA Gary Coons, outlining his desire to see BC Ferries placed closer to governmental oversight through a Crown Corporation setup.

Last week residents of numerous communities of coastal BC launched what they hope will be a wave of protest over BC Ferries plans to increase the cost of travelling on the coastal waters of the province.

Called "Rock the Boat", protests were planned for Friday to let the Ferry Corporation and the provincial government know that the cost of coastal transportation is becoming a major issue for many of the provinces residents, dependant on the ferry system for much of their day to day living.

North Coast MLA Gary Coons has been instrumental in raising the ferry concerns in the Legislature in the past session and has been calling for the the system to return to a Crown Corporation model, one that will be more responsive to the needs of rural residents of the province.

The Daily News featured some background on the "Rock the Boat" campaign on Friday.

Communities protest ferry hikes

North Coast MLA attending gatherings against rising fares
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Friday, July 04, 2008

Pages one and three

While North Coast MLA Gary Coons will be helping rock the boat on the South Coast today, his thoughts will be with those on the Queen Charlotte Islands also taking part in protests against rising fares on B.C. Ferries.

Rock the Boat protests are taking place today on Denman and Hornby Islands on the South Coast as well as in Alliford Bay and Skidegate on the Queen Charlotte Islands.

"I want to ensure all those concerned about our marine highway that I and Carole James realize that the social and economic contract with coastal communities has been broken by Gordon Campbell and this Liberal government," said Coons.

Ferry fares have continued to rise as B.C. Ferries has sought fuel surcharges to compensate for rising oil prices, as well as annual fare increases.

On the Queen Charlotte Islands, ferry users have seen prices increase by 11 per cent so far this year. Between 2003 and 2011, the tally for ferry increases is expected to hit triple digits, hitting home especially hard for those who use B.C. Ferries as part of their highway system.
People on the Queen Charlotte Islands, for example, have to use the ferry system to access medical services in Prince Rupert.

B.C. Ferries revealed on June 5 that another fare increase will be made due to a rise in fuel prices.

As of April, the government created a new rule that allows B.C. Ferries to increase fuel surcharges without seeking approval, and gives the company four opportunities each year on which it can increase the fuel surcharge.

"We support a return of B.C. Ferries to a Crown Corporation model that realizes the importance of ferries as an essential service," said the North Coast MLA.

"We have been pushing for a moratorium on any fare increase until we have a special legislative committee to review the Coastal Ferry Act and a strategy is developed," said Coons.

Earlier this year the NDP introduced a bill called The Fair Ferries Act to ensure the public interest is looked after when determining fare increases, to open B.C. Ferries to Freedom of Information requests and to be scrutinized in the Legislature and to stop pay hikes for B.C. Ferries' board of directors.

"We will ensure that government subsidies are at a level to maintain a reliable, affordable and safe ferry service. We must; to ensure the economic viability of ferry-dependent communities," said Coons. "Although we cannot commit to rolling back fares until we have full access to the finances of B.C. Ferries, we understand that our ferries cannot be privatized and must be affordable."