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Post by Scott (Former Account) on May 17, 2012 0:40:14 GMT -8
It has been suggested that we establish a topic to track what the public pays on all of BC Ferries' routes...
*cue fanfare* ;D
If you would like to participate, please try to be specific while utilizing the following format:
Date. (MM/YYYY)
Route number and direction of travel*. (If you don't have routes memorized, they're posted here.)
Summarization of the fare. (passenger/vehicle)
Cost of any fuel surcharges (FS) and port fees (PF), if they apply.
Total charged**.
*Direction of travel is not applicable to routes that include the round trip.
**Please mention if you received a discount through the use of an Experience Card, sailed on a CoastSaver sailing, travelled using a group discount (16+ individuals), or travelled using your Disabled Status Identification card.
An Example:[/size][/quote]
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Post by lmtengs on May 17, 2012 6:41:21 GMT -8
Let's track food purchases too! Just list the item you bought and where you bought it, and the price that it came to with tax. Vending machines on-board count too. Here's my first add, but I don't remember my food purchases... (WB=Westbound, EB=eastbound, SB=Southbound, NB=northbound) Darn, I only have three of my Northern Extravaganza receipts easily accessible. Route 11 WB 1 Adult $34.00 Total: $34.00 Route 11 EB 1 Adult $34.00 Total $34.00 Route 10 SB 1 Adult $130.00 Total: $130.00 Apparently taxes and surcharges don't apply on the Northern routes...  |
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Neil
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Posts: 7,171
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Post by Neil on May 17, 2012 15:40:50 GMT -8
I don't quite get this. Won't we just be putting down, in random fashion, what can already be found, properly organized, on the BC Ferries website?
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 17, 2012 17:14:29 GMT -8
I don't get the point of it either. But if it's useful information to someone here, then I guess it's ok.
- at least it's going to be in a standard format.
But it's of no interest to me.
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Post by Scott (Former Account) on May 17, 2012 17:43:04 GMT -8
I don't quite get this. Won't we just be putting down, in random fashion, what can already be found, properly organized, on the BC Ferries website? I received a suggestion that this thread should be created. If people want to use it, great. If they don't, that's not a problem... If people do in fact chose to contribute this information off receipts, it may prove useful in the future. When the fares change (including fuel surcharges and port fees), past fares are not so easily found. |
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Post by lmtengs on May 17, 2012 19:54:08 GMT -8
I don't quite get this. Won't we just be putting down, in random fashion, what can already be found, properly organized, on the BC Ferries website? I received a suggestion that this thread should be created. If people want to use it, great. If they don't, that's not a problem... If people do in fact chose to contribute this information off receipts, it may prove useful in the future. When the fares change (including fuel surcharges and port fees), past fares are not so easily found. Well, it seems like an interesting concept, so why not take part? |
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,171
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Post by Neil on May 17, 2012 21:55:56 GMT -8
I received a suggestion that this thread should be created. If people want to use it, great. If they don't, that's not a problem... If people do in fact chose to contribute this information off receipts, it may prove useful in the future. When the fares change (including fuel surcharges and port fees), past fares are not so easily found. Well, it seems like an interesting concept, so why not take part? Because the random nature of it will detract from its future value as a reference. That information is all available on their website, laid out in order, and you don't have to worry about someone making a mistake in reporting what they paid. Still, I suppose it might be handy to at least have some partial recording of rates. I can understand the aim of preserving current information on fares, and particularly interesting to me, schedules. It doesn't look like BC Ferries has set up any available archive of past schedules or fare tables to make up for the fact that they no longer make either widely available in print. I told myself that I was going to print off their schedules twice a year to keep, but the tedium of doing that whole thing, as well as the cost of ink, has kept me from doing it, so despite the fact that I have always kept schedules, I now have a year with none. Maybe every other year would suffice, aside from particular changes, since BC Ferries schedules vary so little from year to year these days. |
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Post by Low Light Mike on May 26, 2012 18:27:49 GMT -8
My May 18, 2012 experience:  |
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Post by Kahloke on Oct 16, 2015 11:57:08 GMT -8
With my upcoming trip to Vancouver Island nearing, I just did a fare comparison between the 3 primary ferry companies that provide service to the island, and to my great surprise, found BC Ferries (Route 1) to be the least expensive option. Ironically, the least expensive option also turns out to be the one with the most amenities - very interesting.
Here is my comparison with the following parameters and today's current exchange rate:
1 standard size vehicle
1 driver
1 passenger
current fare period
assumes peak travel times, so not taking into account any discounts you may get on Route 1 by traveling off-peak
Blackball: Victoria-Port Angeles on MV Coho - 90 minute crossing time
car & driver: $63.00 US / $81.36 CDN
passenger: $18.00 US / $23.24 CDN
reservation fee (non-refundable): $11.00 US / $14.21 CDN
TOTAL: $92.00 US / $118.81 CDN
Washington State Ferries: Anacortes-Sidney - 2hr-55min crossing time w/ Friday Harbor stop
car & driver: $52.35 US / $67.60 CDN
passenger: $19.25 US / $24.86 CDN
*note - there is a $40.00 no-show fee for reservations, but it does not get applied when you do actually show up
TOTAL: $71.60 US / $92.46 CDN
BC Ferries: Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay - 95 minute crossing time
car: $55.40 CDN / $42.91 US
driver: $16.90 CDN / $13.09 US
passenger: $16.90 CDN / $13.09 US
fuel rebate: 1%
*note: this fare assumes no reservation - if you want to reserve a spot, that would be an additional $15.00 CDN, if made 7 or more days in advance
TOTAL after rebate: $88.31 CDN / $68.40 US
Coho is the most expensive way to go, especially with the non-refundable reservation fee, but reservations on that route are pretty necessary if you want to get on. Even without the reservation fee, it's still the most expensive option. Now, we will be going that way on our way up to the island, because it is more convenient for us, but on the way home, I plan on going Route 1. WSF's Sidney route is kind of a bargain when you consider the length of the crossing, but it's still more expensive than BC Ferries, and of course, the vessel is much smaller with none of the amenities you get on BCF's large vessels.
So, I guess in this one instance, BC Ferries doesn't look too bad where fares are concerned, at least when you compare them to the competition. I won't mention their fare policies where it concerns the minor routes - that's a different conversation.
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 16, 2015 12:38:47 GMT -8
So, I guess in this one instance, BC Ferries doesn't look too bad where fares are concerned, at least when you compare them to the competition. The very weak Canadian dollar is the critical factor in making the BCF fare the lowest. As an example, if the Canadian $ was worth $0.90 US, the WSF via Sidney - Anacortes would be cheapest. No argument, however, on which carrier has the most amenities & best food services. |
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,171
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Post by Neil on Oct 16, 2015 22:36:07 GMT -8
I think you have to cut Black Ball a lot of slack here, given that they operate without a subsidy. It's probably admirable that they're this competitive.
WSF is far cheaper serving the San Juans from Anacortes than BC Ferries is from Tsawwassen to the Gulf Islands, so I'm guessing that they feel that the Sidney connection is something of a frill, hence a lower subsidy, barebones amenities, and higher fares.
The interesting thing about the three connections Brandon compares is that they are so different, although they all link the mainland to Vancouver Island. I imagine that all ferry fans would want to experience all three, regardless of the cost differential. |
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Post by Kahloke on Oct 17, 2015 6:13:17 GMT -8
Wett Coast does bring up a good point about the exchange rate. When the US and CDN dollars are more on par than right now, Anacortes-Sidney does end up becoming the bargain of the three crossings. And, because WSF's fare structure includes the driver along with the car, even with the current fares and exchange rate, Anacortes-Sidney is the cheapest for just a single driver and vehicle ($52.35 US / $67.60 CDN). Adding a passenger is what put that fare over BCF's rates in my comparison above.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 17, 2015 8:35:14 GMT -8
The interesting thing about the three connections Brandon compares is that they are so different, although they all link the mainland to Vancouver Island. I imagine that all ferry fans would want to experience all three, regardless of the cost differential. That's the truth. I've done all 3 routes multiple times, and I plan on keeping all routes relatively fresh in my history (ie. in last 5 years). Different ships, different scenery, different experiences, same fun. |
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 17, 2015 16:21:54 GMT -8
That's the truth. I've done all 3 routes multiple times, and I plan on keeping all routes relatively fresh in my history (ie. in last 5 years). Different ships, different scenery, different experiences, same fun. My thoughts exactly. I expect,though, that one of these days the Coho is going to be retired. It is pushing 60 years of service! What is the future for the Blackball route? |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 17, 2015 16:59:57 GMT -8
My thoughts exactly. I expect,though, that one of these days the Coho is going to be retired. It is pushing 60 years of service! What is the future for the Blackball route? Coho reply is HERE |
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lohium
Oiler (New Member)
Posts: 18 
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Post by lohium on Jan 25, 2020 16:36:54 GMT -8
My dad was cleaning out his house and was going to recycle these old fare guide pamphlets but I told him I'd take them. The ferries were so cheap, even less than 20 years ago! As someone who wasn't doing the paying back then, I never realized there were different fares for peak, shoulder and off season. They really should bring that back.
Fare pamphlets for 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2004
1999:
2000:
2001:
2002:
2004: |
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Post by DENelson83 on Feb 18, 2020 12:58:20 GMT -8
It's these outrageous ferry fares that have practically stopped me from driving my car off the Island. My position is that the entire BC tax base should be paying more of the operational bill for BC Ferries, so passengers do not get gouged like this at the farebox. I have never considered BC Ferries to be anything more than an agency of the Provincial Government, even after the passage of the Coastal Ferry Act in 2003.
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paulvanb
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Posts: 1,235
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Post by paulvanb on Feb 19, 2020 15:17:43 GMT -8
It's these outrageous ferry fares that have practically stopped me from driving my car off the Island. My position is that the entire BC tax base should be paying more of the operational bill for BC Ferries, so passengers do not get gouged like this at the farebox. I have never considered BC Ferries to be anything more than an agency of the Provincial Government, even after the passage of the Coastal Ferry Act in 2003. You think this is expensive, try this on for size: In Sardinia my wife and I were going to visit Corsica for the day. When I looked up the fare, it quickly put the brakes on this excursion. It was going to be in excess of 50 euros each way for the two of us. |
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Neil
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Post by Neil on Feb 19, 2020 16:27:16 GMT -8
It's these outrageous ferry fares that have practically stopped me from driving my car off the Island. My position is that the entire BC tax base should be paying more of the operational bill for BC Ferries, so passengers do not get gouged like this at the farebox. I have never considered BC Ferries to be anything more than an agency of the Provincial Government, even after the passage of the Coastal Ferry Act in 2003. Using the Canada cost of living inflation guide, the $7 car and driver major route fare charged in 1960 translates to $60.90 today. The current actual fare is $74.70. More than inflation, but not scandalously so. |
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Post by Starsteward on Feb 20, 2020 15:07:27 GMT -8
It's these outrageous ferry fares that have practically stopped me from driving my car off the Island. My position is that the entire BC tax base should be paying more of the operational bill for BC Ferries, so passengers do not get gouged like this at the farebox. I have never considered BC Ferries to be anything more than an agency of the Provincial Government, even after the passage of the Coastal Ferry Act in 2003. You think this is expensive, try this on for size: In Sardinia my wife and I were going to visit Corsica for the day. When I looked up the fare, it quickly put the brakes on this excursion. It was going to be in excess of 50 euros each way for the two of us. In terms of distance on the Corsica trip you had planned to take, what BCFS route could that be compared to? |
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paulvanb
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Post by paulvanb on Feb 20, 2020 15:51:53 GMT -8
You think this is expensive, try this on for size: In Sardinia my wife and I were going to visit Corsica for the day. When I looked up the fare, it quickly put the brakes on this excursion. It was going to be in excess of 50 euros each way for the two of us. In terms of distance on the Corsica trip you had planned to take, what BCFS route could that be compared to? 40 to 50 minutes as a foot passenger. |
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Post by WettCoast on Feb 20, 2020 16:55:42 GMT -8
It's these outrageous ferry fares that have practically stopped me from driving my car off the Island. My position is that the entire BC tax base should be paying more of the operational bill for BC Ferries, so passengers do not get gouged like this at the farebox. I have never considered BC Ferries to be anything more than an agency of the Provincial Government, even after the passage of the Coastal Ferry Act in 2003. Using the Canada cost of living inflation guide, the $7 car and driver major route fare charged in 1960 translates to $60.90 today. The current actual fare is $74.70. More than inflation, but not scandalously so. Neil, I find it very hard to believe that the official inflation over the past 60 years is less than a factor of 10. I would have thought that that factor would be closer to 20 times, which would make ferry fares today seem almost like a bargain compared to 1960. It used to take a 5 cent stamp to send a letter across Canada in 1960. A chocolate bar was 10 cents (how much now - $1.50?). You could buy a single family house in a nice part of Vancouver for $25,000 - what now?
Bottom line: BCFS ferry fares are not out of line compared to what they were six decades ago.
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Neil
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Posts: 7,171
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Post by Neil on Feb 20, 2020 21:42:31 GMT -8
Using the Canada cost of living inflation guide, the $7 car and driver major route fare charged in 1960 translates to $60.90 today. The current actual fare is $74.70. More than inflation, but not scandalously so. Neil, I find it very hard to believe that the official inflation over the past 60 years is less than a factor of 10. I would have thought that that factor would be closer to 20 times, which would make ferry fares today seem almost like a bargain compared to 1960. It used to take a 5 cent stamp to send a letter across Canada in 1960. A chocolate bar was 10 cents (how much now - $1.50?). You could buy a single family house in a nice part of Vancouver for $25,000 - what now?
Bottom line: BCFS ferry fares are not out of line compared to what they were six decades ago.
This is the website I used... www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/related/inflation-calculator/Real estate inflation has been insane, but not everything has gone up as much. Home entertainment, for instance... TVs are cheaper now than in 1968, and I remember that our first computer was $2200. The ferry fares, at least for the major routes, aren't out of whack. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Dec 5, 2020 13:46:48 GMT -8
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Post by articulated on Dec 5, 2020 14:19:57 GMT -8
That's not actually what the article says. It states that any fare increases will be capped, i.e. there is a maximum amount they will be able to raise fares by each year. Specifically for BC Ferries, these caps were already established prior to the pandemic, so in effect there's no change. |
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