Amendments to the Coastal Ferry Act will:

* Provide the commissioner with the mandate to recommend changes to better balance the interests of the ferry users with the financial sustainability of the ferry operator.

* Provide the commissioner time to conduct the review before issuing the final price cap decision for the next four-year performance term.

* Establish an interim price cap of 4.15 per cent on all routes for 2012-2013.

* Constrain the ferry operator's ability to discontinue service until after the final price cap decision has been made.

* Prevent the ferry operator from requesting an extraordinary price cap increase until after the final price cap decision has been made.

* Provide the commissioner with the financial resources necessary to conduct the review.

The commissioner will finalize his report by early 2012. The report will be made public.

Quote:

Blair Lekstrom, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure:

"Premier Christy Clark has been very clear that our government will focus on jobs and the economy without putting an undue burden on families. This legislation will allow for a review responding to the public's concern about the affordability of ferry service, and the effects of rising fares on ferry-dependent communities. Ferry users expect reasonable and predictable ferry fares."

Learn more:

The commissioner's letter to Minister Lekstrom and the minister's response are at: http://www.bcferrycommission.com/what_s_new.html

Follow the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure online at: http://tranbc.ca

Contact:

Jeff Knight

Communications Manager

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

250 356-7707 Connect with the Province of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect