Your ferry ride is about to get pricier
Good morning from the island — we're still here, the orcas were spotted at Active Pass, and honestly, life is fine. Well, here's the thing. If you're planning a trip off the island, or expecting visitors, you might want to check your wallet. Because as of yesterday, BC Ferries fares went up by 3.2 percent. And it’s not just the big blue boats; Hullo ferries are also hiking their ticket prices starting June 1st.
This isn't a surprise, really. We've been seeing these increases coming down the pike for a while, and the forecast is for things to keep climbing, potentially hitting 30% by 2028. What does this mean for us?
* A standard car and driver will now cost roughly five dollars more. It adds up, doesn't it? * Hullo is adjusting some things, making extra luggage and bike transport a bit cheaper, which is something, I suppose. * It impacts everything from visiting family on the mainland to getting goods delivered here on the island.
You know, we often talk about "island time" and the serene pace of life here. But when it comes to getting *off* the island, or welcoming folks *to* Victoria, it's becoming less about the journey and more about the cost of that journey. It makes you think about all those deer in Beacon Hill Park, just wandering around without a care in the world, blissfully unaware of ferry surcharges. Perhaps they're onto something.
This hits a little differently for those of us who live in James Bay, with the float planes buzzing in and out of the Inner Harbour right there. It’s a constant reminder of our connection to the mainland, even as the cost of that connection keeps going up. It’s just another little nudge that reminds us we live on an island, and sometimes that comes with its own particular set of realities.
Agnes Szymanski, MiTL Sports Desk.
You can hear more of these little island curiosities every morning; catch the full show live at mornings.live.