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Clarity on TAP travel

Editor: I’m writing in response to the letter titled “TAP travellers shorted” published on Oct. 17, to offer our customers some clarity around travelling on BC Ferries to medical appointments.

Editor:

I’m writing in response to the letter titled “TAP travellers shorted” published on Oct. 17, to offer our customers some clarity around travelling on BC Ferries to medical appointments.

The provincial government helps alleviate some of the transportation costs for B.C. residents who must travel for non-emergency medical specialist services not available in their community with the Travel Assistance Program (TAP) administered by the Ministry of Health.

Many residents of the Sunshine Coast utilize TAPs to access the medical care that they require. In fiscal  2019, over 29,000 vehicle trips were provided free fares through the TAP on the Horseshoe Bay-Langdale route.

BC Ferries offers Medical Assured Loading (MAL) to those patients travelling to urgent care appointments where an extended wait at the terminal would cause detrimental risks to their health. We recognize travel can be difficult for ill patients and we want to make their journey as smooth as possible. This program works in conjunction with the Provincial Travel Assistance Program, but is not available for general doctor, dentist or specialist appointments.

The number of assured loading spaces on each sailing is limited. If these spaces are full when the patient arrives, it may be necessary to travel on the next available sailing. If guaranteed travel is required, a reservation is recommended on reservable routes.

A patient’s doctor can apply for Medical Assured Loading through us at BC Ferries. Those who meet the criteria will be given a Medical Assured Loading letter to be presented to the ticket agent at time of check-in, along with their completed TAP form.

More details about this program are posted on our website at https://www.bcferries.com/files/AboutBCF/180911-medical-assured-loading-program.pdf or contact our Customer Service Centre at 888-223-3779.

Janet Carson,

Vice President, Marketing & Customer Experience, BC Ferries