BC Ferries anticipating ‘pent up demand’ once travel restrictions ease

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – BC Ferries is gearing up for a post-pandemic travel boom this summer as British Columbians, and other tourists, wait for the province to ease travel restrictions.

Travel outside of designated regional zones for non-essential purposes is still banned in B.C., but the province could lift the rules as early as mid-June, if daily case counts and hospitalizations continue to drop and enough people are vaccinated.

“We do expect there is going to be pent up demand, but BC Ferries is usually very busy in the summer time every year,” BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall says. “So we are preparing for a busy summer and we will have additional sailings in place in the summertime when the time is right.”

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Marshall doesn’t think there will be any confusion about travel this weekend. Ticket agents will still be asking customers on six routes across regional boundaries if their travel is essential. Customers whose travel is deemed non-essential will be turned away.

Travel restrictions currently impact the three major routes between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island as well as Tsawwassen to the Southern Gulf Islands, Comox to Powell River, and Port Hardy to Prince Rupert.

“We certainly are looking forward to welcoming customers back when the time is right and the province does move into phase two of the restart program. Right now I know the province is targeting June 15, but I know they will announced the official date when the time is right,” Marshall says.

“We normally move into our summer schedule towards the end of June and that is our plan this year. We are planning to have additional service on our major routes as well as additional service to the Southern Gulf Islands and other areas.”

BC Ferries hasn’t yet determined if masks will still be mandatory on sailings, according to Marshall. The ferry company has to follow Transport Canada regulations as well as WorkSafe BC, and is in conversations with both agencies on how best to handle the situation.