Editor:
A copy of this letter was sent to Diana Mumford, Southern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee; Kate-Louise Stamford, SCRD Area F Representative and BC Ferries customer service.
There’s no other way to view it. The BC Ferries “quiet announcement” of a 33 per cent hike to its reservation fee is a big middle finger to Sunshine Coast residents. While many Coasters were prepared for the 3.2 per cent rate hike, I think it’s safe to say most were blindsided by the reservation fee increase from $15 to $20.
It’s hard NOT to take the reservation fee increase personally. On its website, BCF states: “…changes will mean that customers who book a Prepaid fare in advance for travel between Metro Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast will see their average fare price decrease. As well, twice as many customers will now benefit from Saver discounts when travelling to the Sunshine Coast from Vancouver Island or Metro Vancouver.” That might be true for occasional travellers to the Coast but for residents with an Experience Card, prices have gone UP.
Before April 3, using an Experience Card, a car and driver WITH a reservation could travel for about the SAME price as what it now costs on the “commuter” sailings. Where are the savings, BCF?
Up to now, I’ve accepted the regular mechanical breakdowns on Route 3 and the sad condition of our ferry terminals but this is too much — a double-whammy price increase for substandard service has me seeing red.
Toni Serofin
