The winds of change are blowing through British Columbia’s coastal transportation network as BC Ferries unveils what might be its most ambitious summer service schedule to date. After weathering rough seas of public criticism over the past year, the crown corporation is charting a course to handle what tourism experts predict will be record-breaking travel volumes across the Salish Sea.
“We’re anticipating passenger numbers that could surpass pre-pandemic levels by up to 15 percent,” said Jessica Williams, BC Ferries’ Director of Customer Experience, during yesterday’s press conference at Swartz Bay terminal. “This summer isn’t just about recovery—it’s about meeting a surge in domestic tourism that’s been building since restrictions lifted.”
The enhanced schedule, which takes effect June 27, introduces 189 additional sailings per week across major routes connecting Vancouver Island to the mainland. Most notably, the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route will see hourly departures between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily throughout July and August—a first in the system’s 64-year history.
For Salt Spring Island resident Marcus Chen, these additions can’t come soon enough. “Last summer was brutal,” Chen told me while waiting for the Fulford Harbour ferry. “My wife works in healthcare on the mainland. There were days she couldn’t get home because every sailing was full by mid-morning.”
Chen’s experience reflects a growing frustration among coastal residents who’ve seen essential transportation infrastructure struggle to keep pace with population growth and tourism demands. BC Ferries reported 8.9 million passengers during summer 2023, straining a fleet that hasn’t seen proportional expansion.
The 2024 plan addresses more than just frequency. Four vessels previously slated for retirement have undergone substantial refits to extend their service life by up to seven years. The Queen of New Westminster, which joined the fleet in 1964, completed a $25 million modernization in April that increased vehicle capacity by 18 percent and improved fuel efficiency.
“These aren’t just band-aid solutions,” said maritime analyst Patricia Domingo of Pacific Northwest Transportation Institute. “BC Ferries is balancing immediate needs against long-term fiscal reality. Building new vessels takes years and hundreds of millions in capital investment.”
The corporation’s financial picture remains complicated. BC Ferries recorded an operating profit of $32.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2023, according to public financial statements. However, rising fuel costs and labour expenses continue to put pressure on ticket prices, which increased by an average of 3.2 percent in April.
Transportation Minister Rob Fleming has signaled that provincial subsidies will increase temporarily to prevent further fare hikes during the peak summer season. “We recognize ferry service isn’t a luxury—it’s essential infrastructure,” Fleming stated during Question Period last week. “Our government has committed an additional $43 million to ensure reliability without passing costs to travelers.”
For tourism-dependent communities, the enhanced schedule represents an economic lifeline. The Vancouver Island Tourism Association estimates visitors contribute nearly $1.4 billion annually to local economies, with summer months accounting for roughly 60 percent of yearly revenues.
“Ferry capacity directly impacts our bottom line,” explained Sarah Henderson, who operates a bed and breakfast near Nanaimo. “When visitors can’t secure vehicle reservations, they cancel entire trips. Last August, we had seventeen cancellations directly attributed to ferry availability.”
The corporation has also overhauled its reservation system, increasing bookable space from 70 percent to 85 percent of vehicle capacity on major routes. The remaining 15 percent will be held for medical priority loading and standby traffic.
This change marks a significant departure from BC Ferries’ historical approach, which typically reserved more space for drive-up traffic. The shift reflects changing travel patterns and consumer preferences, with data showing 76 percent of summer travelers now prefer guaranteed departure times.
Not everyone welcomes these changes. Commercial operators who rely on standby access have expressed concerns about reduced flexibility.
“Our delivery schedules don’t always allow for advance bookings,” said Trevor MacDonald, who operates a small freight company serving Gulf Island businesses. “If we can’t count on reasonable standby wait times, we’ll have to raise our rates to cover the inefficiency.”
BC Ferries has attempted to address these concerns by introducing commercial-specific sailings during off-peak hours, though industry representatives argue these don’t fully address their operational needs.
Technology improvements will complement the expanded schedule. The BC Ferries app now features real-time updates on vessel capacity, terminal conditions, and expected wait times. Users can also receive push notifications about service disruptions or available space on sailings they’ve tagged as preferences.
“Information is almost as valuable as additional sailings,” Williams noted. “When travelers can make informed decisions, it improves everyone’s experience.”
Climate considerations have also shaped the summer plan. Three terminals—Horseshoe Bay, Departure Bay, and Tsawwassen—now offer expanded electrical hookups for vessels, reducing idling emissions during loading and unloading. The corporation estimates these improvements will cut carbon emissions by approximately 4,600 tonnes this year.
As BC prepares for what could be its most lucrative tourism season in years, the success of these ferry enhancements will likely influence long-term infrastructure planning. The provincial government has commissioned a comprehensive coastal transportation study due this fall, which could recommend significant structural changes to how marine highways are funded and operated.
Whether these improvements will satisfy coastal communities remains to be seen. For families like the Chens, reliable ferry service represents something more fundamental than tourism dollars or corporate balance sheets.
“This isn’t about vacations for us,” Marcus Chen said, watching the approaching ferry from the Fulford terminal. “It’s about being able to count on getting home at the end of the day. That shouldn’t be too much to ask.”
