Representatives of coastal communities and local businesses that rely on ferry service to Horseshoe Bay say they're disappointed but not surprised that ferry service cuts will be going ahead as planned, despite widespread public opposition.
"There's a sense of frustration," said Alison Morse, a member of Bowen Island council and representative of the community's ferry advisory committee. "They went through a huge public engagement process and really haven't changed anything."
On Wednesday, B.C. Transportation Minister Todd Stone announced all the service cuts released in November will go ahead, in order to address "the significant financial pressures facing the coastal ferry system."
"These are very tough decisions," he said. But he said nobody should be surprised by the cuts. "All along we've been clear. Service reductions would happen."
The cuts include $14 million on the minor ferry routes.
B.C. Ferries is proposing to cut the first two round trips between Bowen Island and Horseshoe Bay on Saturday and Sunday and the last round trip on Sunday night in order to save $270,000 on that route, as well as cutting the first Sunday morning sailing to the Sunshine Coast.
Stone said Wednesday the province is open to adjusting which sailings get cut, as long as the money saved remains the same.
In December, Bowen Island Mayor Jack Adelaar wrote to B.C. Premier Christy Clark saying he was "deeply concerned" about the impact the proposed ferry cuts could have on the island community.
A coalition of ferry users on the Sunshine Coast voiced similar concerns.
Horseshoe Bay businesses say they'll also feel the pinch.
"I have staff who live in Sechelt and Bowen Island," said Holly Kemp, manager of Troll's Restaurant. "I'm having to rejig my schedules because they can't get in early enough or get home."
The vast majority of Horseshoe Bay businesses rely on ferry travellers, said Kemp, and those businesses are concerned about cuts to the major routes.
Stone said B.C. Ferries is still working on "a number of scenarios" to cut $5 in costs on the major routes between now and 2016.
"We have a great level of fear here," said Kemp.
Megan Sewell of Sewell's Marina said she took part in a conference call on Thursday where business leaders in several communities voiced their concerns about ferry cuts to federal representatives, including West Vancouver Sunshine Coast MP John Weston. "A lot of it is about jobs and economic stability," she said.
In addition to the service cutbacks, Stone announced this week that there will be no more free ferry rides for seniors. Seniors will now have to pay half the price of a regular fare on Monday through Thursday.
The province will also go ahead with a pilot gambling project on a major route as a way to raise revenue.
NDP ferries critic Clare Trevena said this week's announcement was proof the ferries consultation process was "just window dressing on a done deal."
