BC Ferries will look at variable charges for reservations on major routes, a move that could get people to travel when vessels are not at their busiest.
At Swartz Bay ferry terminal, heavy traffic is expected on Thanksgiving weekend, often the busiest time of the year for foot passengers. (Photograph By DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST)
A system is being worked on for the fall for the Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen, Duke Point-Tsawwassen and Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay routes.
鈥淲e鈥檙e still finalizing all the details,鈥� said BC Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall. 鈥淚nitially we would be offering discounts at off-peak times, if you book in advance.
鈥淲hat that will do is help free up space at the more popular sailing times.鈥�
Current reservation prices vary, starting with $10 for bookings more than seven days in advance to $17 for bookings less than seven days and up until the day before travel, and $21 for a booking on the day of travel.
鈥淲e want to roll this out slowly, so we want to start with the major routes,鈥� Marshall said. 鈥淲e take reservations on the major routes already, so we will start with that and we will be soliciting customers for their feedback.鈥�
At present, reservations are offered on the major routes, the northern routes and some others.
鈥淏ut, for example, Gabriola we don鈥檛 take reservations, Swartz Bay to the Gulf Islands we don鈥檛 take reservations,鈥� Marshall said.
