REGULAR ferry travellers have welcomed the news that Victoria has tossed B.C. Ferries an $80-million life ring.
B.C. Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom deserves praise for increasing the provincial government subsidy - already more than $150 million - to the beleaguered, quasi-private corporation in difficult financial times. Clearly the minister has taken to heart at least some of ferry commissioner Gordon Macatee's review of the coastal Ferry Act released earlier this year.
However, the $80 million is no quickfix panacea. The money is spread over five years and won't cover the ongoing losses the ferry system continues to accrue.
Lekstrom has already served notice that limiting fare hikes to the price of inflation - one of Macatee's recommendations - won't happen any time soon. The minister has also asked the ferry corp to cut $30 million in services over four years while finding an additional $15 million in savings - all doable according to ferries CEO Mike Corrigan.
But Corrigan's claim that smaller communities may be able to keep existing service levels if they are willing to pay more is puzzling in the face of legislation introduced Wednesday that will see future rate hikes apply to all routes equally.
Missing, this week, is any hint that B.C. Ferries will consider the most controversial - but realistic - costsaving recommendation made by Macatee regarding reservations that would see some ferries not sail unless a certain percentage of pre-paid bookings was reached.
