BC Ferries off-peak passenger fares slashed in new promotion
Some fares cut in half Monday through Thursday, and Saturday afternoons from September 8 to October 14
Usually any announcement around BC Ferries' fares means they're going up, but on Friday CEO Mike Corrigan announced some fares are going down, at least in the short term.
As part of a new promotional campaign, "50% Off The Coast", some passenger fares will be cut by 50 per cent during off-peak periods Monday through Thursday, and Saturday afternoons from September 8 to October 14.
During the promotion, a regular adult fare (12 years or older) from the mainland to Vancouver Island will drop from $16.90 to $8.45. A child's fare (age 5 to 11) will drop to $4.25 from $8.45.
Vehicle rates are not included, meaning no change to the $55.40 charge to take a car on a main route sailing between the mainland and Vancouver Island.
On northern routes, the passenger discount starts October 1, and runs the entire month.
"We're going to announce some more promotions later in the fall," said Corrigan. "We hope to look to vehicles later in the fall, and then to kids in the New Year."
The fare reduction was announced at the BC Ferries annual general meeting in Vancouver. First quarter financial results were also released, showing net earnings of $18.8 million, up from $13.9 million in the first quarter of last year.