As a result of soaring gas prices, BC Ferries will soon be charging passengers more..The company said Monday it is increasing its fuel surcharge from 1% to 2.5% on June 1, meaning adults will pay 45 cents more and drivers two dollars more on routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island..Inter-island routes will be .25 cents more for an adult and $1.05 more for a vehicle and driver..For nearly 20 years, BC Ferries has been using a fuel rebate/surcharge mechanism to manage the price of fuel’s volatility. When prices are lower, the company passes lower fuel on to customers through a fuel rebate. When higher, BC Ferries implements a fuel surcharge to cover the additional cost..The company says it does not financially benefit from rebates or surcharges..“BC Ferries has made significant investments to reduce its consumption of fuel and use cleaner, lower-cost fuels such as liquefied natural gas to replace the use of ultra-low sulphur diesel fuels,” reads a statement from the company Monday, adding that it is soon introducing battery-equipped ships designed for full electric operation, pending the installation of charging infrastructure..“Despite initiatives to burn fuel more efficiently, a fuel surcharge is necessary at this time.”.Hitting 222.9 cents per litre, the cost of gas yet again hit a record-high in the Lower Mainland on Monday. Prices are expected to continue climbing across the province where British Columbians are paying an average of $2.06 per litre..BC Ferries' 2.5% fuel surcharge will also be implemented on the Port Hardy-Prince Rupert, Prince Rupert-Haida Gwaii, and Port Hardy-Central Coast routes, where there is currently no fuel surcharge or rebate.
