BC Ferries backtracks plans to cut Vancouver Island-Mainland routes

B.C. Ferries has axed previously announced plans to cut service on major routes between Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland.

The ferry corporation said the move was originally intended to reduce its annual operating costs, about $4.9 million in savings.

However, upon further examination it determined that such costs would result in a greater loss in revenue due to the reduced passenger traffic volumes. If the changes were to be implemented, routes running from Tsawwassen to Duke Point, Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay and Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay would have been affected.

Late last year, details emerged of a plan to eliminate the high-traffic Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay route, which is technically a continuation of the Trans Canada Highway. But the option was quickly scrapped when both the provincial government and ferry corporation faced immense public backlash over the mere idea of the cuts.

Critics stated a complete cut to the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay route would decimate tourism and local businesses.