B.C. Ferries is making a splash for the holidays as it has dropped its fuel surcharge, and has added extra sailings for the next few weeks.
The 3.4 per cent fuel surcharge will be removed right before the holidays on Dec. 17 due to the resounding drop in gas prices, B.C. Ferries announced Monday.
"With the current favourable market conditions, we have been hedging our diesel fuel costs and are now in a position to eliminate the fuel surcharge," stated Mike Corrigan, B.C. Ferries' president and CEO, in a media release. "We know that fare affordability is an issue for customers and we are pleased to be able to reduce the cost of ferry travel, as every bit helps."
Although B.C. Ferries continues to have an outstanding balance in its fuel deferral account, the remainder is dropping and forecasts indicate the balance will go down to zero in the first half of 2015.
There will also be 158 additional sailings between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island to meet anticipated holiday demand. From Dec. 18 to Jan. 4, 112 sailings are being added between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, 42 more between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay, and four extra between Duke Point and Tsawwassen. As Dec. 26, 27 and 28 are expected to be the busiest days for ferry travel, B.C. Ferries recommends customers make their reservations ahead of time. For the full holiday schedule information, visit bcferries.com.
