BC Ferries to increase fuel surcharge due to market conditions

BC Ferries passengers will be paying a 2.5 per cent fuel surcharge starting next month.

The company says the increase is due to current fuel market conditions, and that it is “necessary at this time.”

Starting June 1, the surcharge will be a 45-cent fee on adult tickets. The surcharge for a vehicle and driver on the Metro Vancouver – Vancouver Island routes will be $2. On inter-island routes, the surcharge will be about 25 cents for adult tickets and $1.05 for a vehicle and driver.

This hike more than doubles the existing fuel surcharge, which is currently one per cent.

Drivers have been feeling the pinch at the pump, as people in Metro Vancouver saw prices skyrocket to $2.229 per litre over the weekend.

“BC Ferries does not benefit financially from the fuel surcharges. For the past 20 years, we have been using a fuel rebate/surcharge mechanism to try to manage the volatility in the price of fuel,” Deborah Marshall with BC Ferries explained.

“We consume over $100 million in fuel per year. It is one of our largest expenses, and we do have to pass that on to our customers, unfortunately.”

Related articles:

• Weather blamed for spike in BC Ferries cancellations

• ‘It’s pretty bad’: Metro Vancouver gas prices hit drivers, soar across Canada

The war in Ukraine has been partly blamed for the surge in gas prices, as has inflation, and supply and demand.

Metro Vancouver drivers also pay some of the highest taxes on fuel in the country.

Some provinces have taken action to try to help ease the burden on drivers’ wallets by tackling taxes. However, in B.C., Premier John Horgan’s government has opted for a rebate instead, something that’s drawn much criticism.