BC Ferries is leaving British Columbians waiting

Recently, coastal mayors criticized BC Ferries for leaving ferry-dependent communities in the lurch, pointing out that cancellations and delays have increased while service has declined. BC Ferries’ response, that smaller routes operate at a deficit, was revealing.

President Eric McNeely recently shared his perspective on what needs to change to make sure BC Ferries serves coastal communities better.

‘We don’t measure hospitals or highways by profit and loss, and we shouldn’t treat ferry routes that way.”

President McNeely points out that Premier W.A.C. Bennett never intended our ferry system to run as a business. Rather, he saw it as a “marine extensions of the highway system,” designed to connect communities up and down the coast.

Instead, we’ve ended up with a private company that delivers a public service without public accountability.

“The fix is straightforward. Replace political appointees with a genuine public-interest board that’s independent, qualified and transparent. With real oversight, BC Ferries can be held accountable. This requires legislative change. The Coastal Ferry Act must be amended to reflect the needs of residents, not the demands of a failed business model.”

Read the rest of President McNeely’s thoughts here.