B.C. university groups call for cheaper ferry rates for post-secondary students

Michelle Gomez · CBC News

· Posted: Nov 07, 2025 8:00 AM EST | Last Updated: 7 hours ago

A conjugation of pupil unions astatine B.C. universities are calling for cheaper fares connected section ferries.

The coalition, which includes pupil groups from the University of British Columbia (UBC), Simon Fraser University (SFU), and the University of Victoria (UVic), has sent a connection to the provincial authorities and B.C. Ferries asking for a $10 walk-on interest for each post-secondary students, who presently person to wage big fares, which scope successful outgo betwixt $15 and $20 depending connected the route.

Students from kindergarten to Grade 12 arsenic good arsenic seniors payment from fare discounts. 

Michael Caryk of the University of Victoria Students’ Society said offering a discount to post-secondary students would amended their lives and apt summation ridership for B.C. Ferries. 

“We judge this would amended accessibility, affordability, and ridership,” helium told CBC’s On The Island. 

Caryk said reduced ferry rates would let UVic students with household connected the mainland to question location much often. 

“This would besides assistance students ... person a spot much clip with their family, to beryllium capable to spend a fewer much trips back,” helium said. 

B.C. Ferries said successful a connection that backing for specified a discount would person to travel from the province. 

“B.C. Ferries recognizes the fiscal pressures galore students look and appreciates their advocacy connected this issue,” the connection said. 

“Any caller fare categories oregon discounts, including those for post-secondary students, would necessitate absorption and backing from the provincial government.”

The CEO of B.C. Ferries has warned that the institution whitethorn request to summation fares by 30 per cent successful 2028.

The B.C. Ministry of Transportation said work levels and fare structures are adjusted each 4 years, with the adjacent rhythm opening connected April 1, 2028. 

“As enactment begins connected the adjacent show term. . . information volition beryllium fixed to existing oregon revised programs that enactment affordability and accessibility crossed the coastal ferry system.”

Caryk said students anticipation the national authorities volition supply much backing to ferry users successful B.C.

Premier David Eby has been captious of the national government, saying it subsidizes ferry users connected the East Coast by astir $300 per person, portion ferry users in B.C. person $1 per person.