BC Ferries waving booking fee for medical travellers
Posted April 25, 2023 1:43 pm.
For medical travellers who use BC Ferries, things are about to get a little cheaper.
BC Ferries will be waiving the $18 booking fee for people who qualify under the province’s Travel Assistance Program (TAP) and who are travelling for medical reasons. The option will be available on all bookable routes.
In order to qualify, medical travellers have to have a TAP form from their medical practitioner, and a confirmation number from Health Insurance BC.
Passengers can continue to use a Medical Assured Loading (MAL) letter on any route that isn’t “fully bookable.” However, it’ll only be available for those under the TAP and whose letter from a medical practitioner says it’s necessary to avoid waiting at the terminal.
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The company’s marketing vice-president, Janet Carlson, says the changes are meant to alleviate some stress on those travelling for medical reasons.
“Removing the booking fee is our way of helping with travel certainty while removing the financial burden when travelling to and from doctors’ offices, clinics or hospital,” Carlson said.
Jennifer Rice, the parliamentary secretary for Rural Health, is applauding the move.
“Making reservations for people travelling with TAP free is another great step in removing barriers to accessing health care and I am grateful to BC Ferries for this action,” Rice said.
BC Ferries says 300,000 people sailed with the company under the TAP program last year.
TAP is a partnership between the provincial Ministry of Health and private companies to waive or discount transportation fees for medical travellers.
The province says this program is meant to lift some financial pressure for those travelling from rural areas to access medical services.
