Islanders need few excuses to give B.C. Ferries their opinion on services, but this is a better time than most to weigh in.
As part of its project to improve technology and potentially offer discounts on some sailings, the corporation is considering allowing free reservations. This is almost as important — dare we say, more important — than the proposed renovations to the Swartz Bay terminal.
Many travellers have complained about having to pay extra to reserve a spot on a sailing, especially when many similar ferry systems offer free reservations. (They often penalize those who don’t show up, which seems more fair.)
Under the current rules, reservations cost $10 if you book seven days in advance, $17 after that and $21 on the day of travel. That is on top of the already onerous cost of a ferry ride.
It’s an annoying waste of money if you have to change your travel plans. And if you have reserved from Kamloops, only to get stuck in Trans-Canada Highway traffic somewhere near Abbotsford while the minutes tick down to your sailing time, it’s more than annoying.
The fees bring in $18 million a year of the corporation’s $859 million in revenue, which is not pocket change.
However, B.C. Ferries is working to improve its technology so it will be more nimble, possibly offering discounts on underused sailings to spread loads and reduce those agonizing two-sailing waits. Getting rid of reservation fees could be part of that renovated system.
If ferry users got a vote, the no-fee option would win by a landslide.
