The B.C. government introduced legislation this week to support a review of the B.C. Ferries system.
The legislation follows an announcement on May 19 that independent BC Ferry Commissioner Gord Macatee will conduct a review of the Coastal Ferry Act, focusing on fare hikes and how they affect coastal communities.
Under the legislation, the government will establish an interim price cap of 4.15 per cent on all routes for 2012 to 2013 and constrain the ferry operators' ability to discontinue service until a final decision on price caps is made. It would also prevent B.C. Ferries from requesting an extraordinary price cap increase until after the final price cap decision has been made.
The concern over B.C. Ferries fares has been growing rapidly. A day before Macatee's announcement, a group of New Democrat Party (NDP) MLAs sent a letter to Minister of Transportation Blair Lekstrom, calling for an immediate cap on fares.
The NDP group letter, which included Powell River - Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons, refers to the current fares and upcoming fuel surcharge as "a form of [marine] highway robbery."
The MLAs also argue that coastal residents rely on ferry systems the same way northern residents rely on the highway system, where there is no charge, and the issue is a matter of provincial equality.
Simons recently had a meeting with Lekstrom, whom Simons described as cordial and knowing of the concerns.
"The Minister obviously recognizes that the status quo isn't going to work," said Simons of the meeting. "I have expressed the concerns that have been raised to me. This is the third minister I've brought it up with, and I feel it's the most positive since I first started bringing it up. It's good, so maybe we'll see some changes."
In a May 24 press release, Lekstrom stated, "This legislation will allow for a review responding to the public's concern about the affordability of ferry service, and the effects of rising fares on ferry-dependent communities. Ferry users expect reasonable and predictable ferry fares."
The commissioner will finalize his report by early 2012. The report will then be made public.
