The ferry is our highway. But unlike a highway, this one charges a toll that is rising faster than our wages.
For many Gabriolans, the ferry isn’t a luxury cruise, it’s the only way to get to work, to school, or to the hospital. Yet, the current “Experience Card” system imposes a high cost of entry that acts as a regressive tax on our lowest-income residents.
The Hidden Barrier
Currently, you must load a minimum of $130 onto a card to access vehicle savings. For a working family living paycheck to paycheck, this “minimum top-up” is a financial wall. It locks them out of discounts and forces them to pay the full, exorbitant fare.
Our Demand: Equity First
We are calling on BC Ferries to align with their mandate: the ferry system must be accessible to the people it serves. As the system moves toward digital app integration, we have a critical window to demand change.
Current Vehicle Minimum$130
Current Passenger Minimum$50
Target Vehicle Minimum
$100
Target Passenger Minimum
$30
Lowering these minimums costs BC Ferries $0 in revenue—it only affects cash flow timing. But for a Gabriola family, it means the difference between making a doctor’s appointment and staying home.