Rustad announces plan to overhaul BC Ferries

BC Conservative Leader John Rustad on Thursday outlined a comprehensive plan to fix BC Ferries and bring accountability back to the service that so many coastal and island residents depend on daily. Rustad emphasized that BC Ferries is not just a transportation network, but a crucial link for communities, businesses, and families.

“BC Ferries plays a critical role in connecting Vancouver Island and coastal communities to the rest of the province,” said Rustad. “The NDP’s mismanagement has resulted in aging vessels, unreliable service, and frustrating bottlenecks. Coastal residents are fed up, and it’s time for real leadership to get BC Ferries back on track.”

Rustad’s plan includes holding BC Ferries’ leadership accountable to coastal communities by ensuring they have a strong voice in ferry operations. A BC Ferries Charter will be established to clearly define the performance and service expectations of the Ferry Authority.

“If BC Ferries leadership fails to meet these expectations, we’ll find new leadership capable of delivering the reliable service that coastal residents deserve,” Rustad said. “We will also tie executive compensation to performance, ensuring that the leadership team is directly responsible for meeting service delivery commitments.”

Rustad’s plan includes direct support for the frequent ferry users who rely on BC Ferries for work and daily life. The B.C. Conservative Party will consult with commuters and frequent users to develop a monthly flat-fee program, making travel more affordable and hassle-free for those who use ferries regularly.

“The people who rely on BC Ferries the most are being punished with high costs and unreliable service,” Rustad said. “Our plan will bring relief to commuters and frequent users, ensuring they have a dependable and affordable service to get to work, visit family, or access essential services.”

Rustad highlighted the need for fleet renewal and expansion to meet growing demand and resolve over-capacity issues on critical routes such as Horseshoe Bay, Departure Bay, and Tsawwassen.

“The BC Ferries fleet is aging, and maintenance challenges are impacting service quality. The NDP has ignored these issues for too long. We will introduce open and competitive procurement processes for fleet renewal, with a focus on considering domestic content scenarios to ensure British Columbians benefit from shipbuilding and related industries,” Rustad announced.

A key component of Rustad’s plan is securing federal support for BC Ferries’ infrastructure and exploring innovative technology solutions like small electric autonomous ferries for walk-on passengers, which have already been successfully implemented in Europe.

“We will fight for BC’s fair share of federal support to modernize BC Ferries’ infrastructure and explore new technologies that improve service,” Rustad said. “Innovative solutions like electric ferries can reduce bottlenecks, increase efficiency, and meet the growing demand for walk-on services.”

Rustad reaffirmed the B.C. Conservative Party’s commitment to making BC Ferries a world-class, efficient, and reliable transportation system that serves coastal communities for generations to come.

“The NDP has failed coastal residents. It’s time for a new vision that puts the needs of the people first, not the political interests of the government. Under a Conservative government, BC Ferries will become a service that coastal communities can depend on – not a system that leaves them stranded,” he asserted.

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