Editor:
I have only lived on the Coast for six years, yet cannot remember a single year when ferry fares did not increase.
The B.C. Ferry Commission's report states, "Fare increases are required due to the rising costs of operating and capital expenditures coupled with lower than anticipated traffic levels."
I wonder if the foot passenger passes that are now issued raise a red flag to the BCFC? If they bothered to watch the loading and unloading of passengers at Langdale, they may, like me, have noticed a considerable increase in the numbers of foot passengers over the last six years.
Talking with friends and neighbours, it is obvious that this increase is because many of us are leaving our vehicles at home or in the car park and making arrangements to be picked up or catch public transport, because it has become too expensive to take a vehicle on the ferry.
Like many others on the Coast, I live on a government pension and have grandchildren on the other side of the water. Whilst the pension income has not risen to the same extent as the cost of everything else, it is becoming very expensive to visit my grandchildren (having nowhere to stay overnight on the other side) or to bring them over here on a regular basis.
Common sense tells us why traffic levels are now lower than were anticipated. Wonder if BCFC can figure out how to get the numbers back up again?
Ralph Meyer
Sechelt
