Families, residents, tourists, and the local economy will continue to benefit from passenger ferry service between Victoria and Seattle (Clipper Ferry) as a result of a lease extension.

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Clipper Navigation Ltd. have signed a three-year lease extension until 2017. This follows a separate three-year lease extension between the ministry and Black Ball Ferry Line (MV Coho), the Victoria-to-Port Angeles ferry provider.

The lease extensions will give the ministry time to develop a long-term improvement plan for the Belleville Ferry Terminal wharves and properties.

On April 1, 2014, the ministry took responsibility of the Belleville Ferry Terminal properties and lease agreements, as part of the dissolution of the Provincial Capital Commission. This will ensure the Government of B.C. can continue to provide the best-possible use of these resources while respecting the interests of taxpayers.

The Belleville Ferry Terminal Properties, as well as the operations of the Black Ball and Clipper ferries, will be considered in the Vancouver Island Transportation Strategy. The Vancouver Island Transportation Strategy also will be part of the provincewide 10-year transportation plan, which will outline the government’s vision and priorities for the next decade.

Quotes:

Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone−

“The Belleville Ferry Terminal properties, including the Coho and Clipper ferry service, provide important economic ties to the United States and economic opportunities for Victoria and Vancouver Island. Government is committed to working with the ferry operators to protect and improve these important pieces of transportation infrastructure.”

President and CEO of Clipper Navigation Ltd. Darrell Bryan -

“Clipper is very pleased to have reached a three-year lease agreement with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. We look forward to working together in developing a Gateway terminal facility that we'll all be proud of in the future.”

Quick Facts:

• The Clipper provides about 300,000 passenger trips a year.
• The Clipper generates about $60 million in economic activity on Vancouver Island each year.
• The Clipper supports about 1,500 direct and indirect fulltime jobs on Vancouver Island.

Learn More:

For more information about the work of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure at:
http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/tranprojectsbc/

Media Contacts:

Robert Adam
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure
250 356-8241