HAIDA GWAII – MLA for North Coast Jennifer Rice has released the following statement regarding BC Ferries’ service notice for Route 26:
“I’m pleased to hear BC Ferries is implementing government’s service level increase on Route 26 between Skidegate and Alliford Bay on Haida Gwaii. The additional sailings, to go into effect on January 28th, will be welcome news for residents who were greatly impacted by service reductions made by the previous government in 2014.
“Thanks to the leadership of Minister Claire Trevena, our government provided funding for BC Ferries to provide an additional 2,700 round trips on ten minor and northern routes that were cut in 2014. Route 26 is the final route to be operationalized under this agreement.
“These additional services followed government’s fare relief initiative in 2018 that resulted in reduced fares on the smaller routes, reinstatement of the Monday-Thursday senior’s passenger fare discounts that were reduced in 2014, and a fare freeze on all routes for two years.
“Our government understands the importance of ferry service for coastal British Columbians – particularly those who live in ferry-reliant communities. That’s why we are taking the time to develop a vision for ferry services – to ask communities what their coastal connections should look like and how service can evolve to better serve community needs.
“The next phase of the ferry visioning process includes public engagement so we can hear directly from people on what they would like to see for coastal ferries in the future.
“I look forward to the launch of online engagement later this winter.”