Un-Fare Information

[Scott]

This has been on my mind a few times recently. Why on earth are the fares not included in the BC Ferries schedule pamphlet? They combined all the schedules into one - except for the fares. The pamphlet includes all the routes and schedules, contact information, route maps, passenger information, notes on reservations and ticket sales, information on Gulf Island throughfare tickets, North Coast service information, select safety regulations, and warns on one of the last pages "schedules and fares subject to change without notice."

They also contain a good amount of advertisement - half of it for their own routes, promotions, and hamburgers. Even a full page ad for British Columbia's Casinos on the back cover - with the conscience salving "know your limit, play within it" in small print at the bottom. Yeah, that makes exploiting and ripping people off OK. But that's getting off topic...

Is BC Ferries embarrassed to add another one or two pages into their 34 page schedule to list the fares and surcharges and reservation fees (not just "a nominal fee") for the convenience of their customers? I'm sure a few more companies would be happy to put a little ad in the booklet to help pay for the extra ink and paper.

Oh, by the way, an article in the Vancouver Sun a few days ago made it sound like another fare increase is on its way. About 9% for major routes and 14% for minor routes.

[Hardy]

admin said:

This has been on my mind a few times recently. Why on earth are the fares not included in the BC Ferries schedule pamphlet?

....

Oh, by the way, an article in the Vancouver Sun a few days ago made it sound like another fare increase is on its way. About 9% for major routes and 14% for minor routes.

There's your answer! If they don't publish their fares, then the information is NEVER out of date and they never have to publish a new pamphlet for whenever they increase the rates!

About a year and a half ago was the LAST time that I remember then publishing a fare pamphlet. Since then, I have not seen any onboard any vessels. They USED to have them, but no longer (it was around the time of the 2nd FSC increase, if I remember correctly).

[shipyard]

Last month, I was looking for them on the route 2 ferries, and eventually found some- in one slot in an obscure corner of the rack! I'm guessing they're just quietly phasing them out.