B.C. Ferries is continuing to ramp up its summer service, offering extra sailings starting on Thursday.
These sailings come on top of additional sailings announced the previous week. Schedule details will be posted online at bcferries.com today.
The corporation said it is adding 33 round-trip sailings on the Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen route, eight between Duke Point-Tsawwassen, 30 between Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay, and eight between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale on the Sunshine Coast.
Chief executive Mark Collins said B.C. Ferries is keeping capacity 鈥渨ell ahead鈥� of demand.
鈥淔erry traffic has returned to an average of about 30 per cent lower than this time last year,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e are forecasting that it will be two to three years before traffic returns to pre-COVID levels.鈥�
Ferry traffic dropped drastically because of the pandemic, costing B.C. Ferries millions of dollars in lost revenue.
Now that restrictions are easing, B.C. Ferries is bringing back more sailings and services, including some food offerings.
It is also re-opening the foot passenger overhead walkway at Horseshoe Bay, where physical distancing protocols are in place.
Travellers are required to have face coverings to wear at terminals or in passenger areas of the vessel. Passengers are permitted to stay in their vehicles during a voyage.
