Who should BC Ferries serve? (UBC Dialogues: Victoria)

Fares are rising while service is being cut. Ridership is down on high-volume routes. BC has maintained a high level of ferry service, but many vessels need replacing and operating costs are rising. Business as usual is no longer enough so what should be done to steer this ship? One solution is to increase revenues by making the organization more tourist-focused: offering vacation packages, on-board gaming and other amenities. But is this enough? And where does it leave the coastal and island residents that depend on the ferries for regular, affordable transportation? Should the ferries be operated as a public service or a business? Or should other alternatives be investigated?

Moderator

Gregor Craigie - CBC Radio One’s Host, On The Island

Panelists

Mike Corrigan – President and Chief Executive Officer, BC Ferries
Martin Crilly, MBA’73 - Former BC Ferries Commissioner
Tony Law - Co-Chair, Ferry Advisory Committee Chairs; Chair, Denman-Hornby Ferry Advisory Committee
Mike Tretheway - Chief Economist & Chief Strategic Officer, InterVISTAS; Adjunct Professor, UBC’s Sauder School of Business