British Columbia

BC Ferries set to remove on-board arcades

BC Ferries says plans are underway to remove arcades as the corporation's fleet of ships comes in for upgrades. It blames the proliferation of personal electronic devices.

Corporation says personal electronic devices have cut into revenues from games

BC Ferries is removing arcades as its fleet of vessels comes in for upgrades. (CBC)

BC Ferries says plans are underway to remove arcades from its vessels as the corporation's fleet of ships comes in for upgrades.

And it's blaming the proliferation of personal electronic devices.

"Times are changing. People are bringing their own electronic devices to use on board and revenues from the arcades are down," spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said in an email.

"The spaces will be better used for more seating or expanding the size of gift shops."

BC Ferries confirmed that the arcade was removed from the Queen of Oak Bay when the ship underwent her three-quarter life upgrade. The boat sails from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay in Nanaimo.

Marshall said the space was turned into more seating for the snack bar area.

Arcades will be removed as other boats come in for mid or three-quarter life upgrades.