Dear editor,
Two years ago I was contacted by Elke Kite, who was the customer relations agent for BC Ferries at that time, about ideas I had submitted to the new CEO Mr. Corrigan, with concerns I had about RV travel on BC Ferries.
Since that conversation, the only changes the ferry system has made is to put the rates up — twice.
BC Ferries is not a cruise line or a travel agency; it is a part of our highway system. I can’t even imagine what the advertising costs are to promote their “cruise holidays.”
Due to the ever-escalating costs of BC Ferries, we only used the ferry twice a year — no more day trips to the smaller islands or to Vancouver. We have a wonderful island with a good number of great RV parks not being utilized because of the high costs for travel on BC Ferries.
This past spring we tried an alternate route, via Anacortes to Sidney. Reservations are a must, which is easy enough to do. Go online and make one (and no extra charge for the reservation either), get your confirmation number and you are good to go.
This ferry offers an RV promo rate in the spring and fall, and the regular rate is not that steep either. We are close to 58 feet with our tow vehicle and our fare, including passengers and tax, was a little over half of what we would have paid on BC Ferries, and no need to disconnect our tow vehicle.
Washington State ferry has my attention. This experience says to me they are open for business and they want your business. Friends we have met in our travels that express an interest to coming to the island, we will tell them to take the Washington State ferry.
We need to lobby as a group to BC ferries for fair RV fares to encourage RV travel to the Island. This needs to be done before our RV parks sell out because they are not making a living.
BC ferries needs a major correction in all of their fares. RVs paying commercial rates is not a fair rate, especially when commercial vehicles owners can claim their costs as a tax deduction.
Dianne Kovasin,
Oyster River