Re: Analyst stands by report on B.C. ferry fare impact (Gazette, Sept. 26)
Being born and raised on the Island I do agree with this report. When I plan our family trips, whether it be for a couple days or longer, I try to avoid anything to do with the ferry.
I look at what it costs and the value I am getting – sorry, the math doesn’t work for me.
We looked at going over to Vancouver a few times this year for weekend trips to visit friends, site-see with the kids and even take our trailer over to go camping.
Unfortunately, with the ferry cost, any weekend trip costs an extra $200 for a return trip. To go camping? There is an $800 bill to get the truck and trailer over and back.
How much more can I get for my money if I stay here on the Island. They wonder why every time they hike the rates, ridership goes down. It’s because the prices are higher than what people are willing or can afford to pay. Maybe if the ferry was more affordable, ridership would go up.
Instead of gouging people to try and cover the costs on one trip, wouldn’t it make more sense to charge a much lower rate and have people ride it multiple times in a year because they feel they can afford it? One that doesn’t seem like a luxury one has to save up for?
David Littlejohn
Langford