The province is expecting rough waters later this year when it asks the public for comments on proposed service cuts to B.C. Ferries.
To help navigate the expected controversy, the province wants to hire a consultant who will collect public comment on potential cuts to routes.
NDP transportation critic Claire Trevena slammed the government’s plan.
Trevena, a Quadra Island resident, said coastal communities are ferry-dependent. “People have been consulted to death,” she said, noting that during a previous consultation in 2012, “people were just completely fed up.”
If the province is serious about growing B.C.’s economy, the ferry system should be considered part of the province’s infrastructure rather than a luxury for people who can afford to ride them, Trevena said.
“These communities are still economic drivers for our province.”
Ferry fares will increase by four per cent next year, after going up 4.15 per cent on April 1 this year.
“So, basically, about the same time that our fares are going up by another four per cent, they will be telling us which routes are gone,” Trevena said.
The province promised to consult with communities before making changes to routes.
Service cuts are planned because B.C. Ferries is facing millions of dollars in shortfalls in coming years. The goal is to achieve $26 million in savings by 2016.
“The 2013 public engagement process is expected to be controversial as it will deal with route-specific service adjustments and other measures to achieve the long-term vision,” said the request for proposals sent out by the province.
Further, it is expected to be “large in scope in terms of meetings and participation levels, as well as complexity and sensitivity of information, particularly to communities impacted by changes to ferry service.”
The deadline for consultants to apply to the request for proposals is Aug. 27, with the winner expected to be announced in September. Consultation, including online feedback, is planned for November and December, the document states. A summary report is to be ready in January or February.
Service cuts are expected to begin in 2014.
“There will be service reductions for certain,” Transportation Minister Todd Stone said last month. “We’re just working our way through that. B.C. Ferries is also completing some internal administrative and cost reductions and we’ve got to pull all these pieces together.”
The summary report on last year’s consultations, released earlier this year, said key themes included comments that fares are not affordable and that B.C. Ferries should be an essential part of the highway system funded by the province and taxpayers. Many citizens made suggestions on how to boost revenue or reduce costs. Opposition to service reductions noted that many communities rely on ferries to access work, education, health and other essential services.
Consultant Kirk & Co., hired for $781,000, guided the 2012 consultation process.
The consultant developed the discussion outline and other materials, as well as organizing more than 40 meetings in 30 communities. Kirk & Co. also oversaw a provincewide survey and produced a report.
Detailed information about individual routes and how much they are used is available online at coastalferriesengagement.ca.
Fewer passengers, higher fuel and labour costs, underutilized routes and other capital costs — such as replacing old ferries — all contribute to the funding shortfall, the province has said.
