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BC Ferries fuel surcharge going up June 1 due to record gas prices

The dollar amount of the increase will vary depending on the route and the fare chosen.
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The Queen of New Westminster arrives at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal on April 15, 2022. DARREN STONE, TIMES COLONIST

BC Ferries is again increasing its fuel surcharge on sailings due to rising gas prices.

As of June 1, the surcharge will increase to 2.5 per cent from one per cent. The dollar amount depends on the route and the fare chosen.

For example, a vehicle and driver on Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island sailings will see a surcharge of $1.20 on a $49 saver fare, $2 for an $80 fare purchased at the terminal, and $2.15 for a pre-paid fare of $87.50.

The surcharge will be $1.05 on sailings between Vancouver Island and Salt Spring Island and 75 cents between Buckley Bay and Denman Island.

Increases to fuel costs saw BC Ferries impose fuel charges on March 1 averaging about one per cent.

BC Ferries is working to decrease the amount and types of fuel it uses, turning to liquefied natural gas to replace ultra-low sulphur diesel fuels.

The company has also added battery-equipped ships to its fleet. These vessels will be fully electric once shore-charging infrastructure is installed. It’s not known when the infrastructure, which is expected to need funding from senior governments, will be installed.

cjwilson@timescolonist.com