BC Ferries reports record traffic, despite staffing issues
Posted August 24, 2023 10:57 am.
Last Updated August 24, 2023 10:58 am.
BC Ferries says it moved a record number of passengers and vehicles in 2023’s second quarter in spite of staffing shortages.
The company announced Thursday that in a three-month span ending June 30, 5.8 million passengers and 2.5 million vehicles were transported. It marks an increase of seven and three per cent, respectively, compared to last year.
“This quarter we sailed a record number of round trips and moved more people and vehicles than ever before in our history,” said BC Ferries president and CEO Nicolas Jimenez.
“The vast majority, 98.6 per cent, of our sailings happened as planned.”
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Jimenez says they are “actively hiring” to address crew shortages.
Some of the increase in traffic, the corporation says, can be attributed to new fare choices and other incentives such as offering advance purchase sales on its major routes.
The company’s latest financial report shows revenue was up because of higher passenger and vehicle traffic, but so were operating expenses. Still, it managed to make a profit of over $15 million for the quarter, up from $8 million for the same period last year
Shortly after the end of the second quarter just being reported on, BC Ferries was hit with Canada Day long weekend chaos as staff were challenged trying to keep up with demand. Then, a few days later, multiple sailings were scrapped, again due to staff shortages.
Third-quarter traffic figures could also be hit by the repercussions felt after BC Ferries ended up having to cancel all sailings of the Coastal Renaissance, which services the Duke Point-Tsawwassen route. The vessel was pulled out of service on Aug. 16 after motor issues caused it to break down.
The corporation announced Aug. 22 that it does not expect this vessel to be back in service before mid-October.
With files from Mike Lloyd, Angela Bower, James Paracy, and Hana Mae Nassar
