Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Todd Stone issues the following statement on today’s final price cap ruling from the British Columbia Ferry Commission:

“Today, the B.C. Ferries Commissioner confirmed price caps for BC Ferries of 1.9% in each of the next four years, beginning April 1, 2016. These will be the lowest fare increases since 2003-04.

“This puts price caps over the next term in line with long-term inflation, and confirms that the Government of B.C.’s vision for the coastal ferry service is working. This is good news for ferry users and for the communities served by BC Ferries.

“It is also encouraging to see the recent rebound in BC Ferries’ traffic numbers. Since April 2015, both passenger and vehicle traffic is up 4% compared to the same period the year before. BC Ferries’ work to control expenditures and a lower Canadian dollar that’s increased tourism have helped us get to where we are today.

“However, as I said earlier this year and as the commissioner has stated in his reports, there is more work for BC Ferries to do over the next four years to further reduce pressure on fares to ensure our coastal ferry service operates as efficiently and affordably as possible, well into the future.”