BC Ferries reports modest income boost in its third quarter

VICTORIA – BC Ferries made some money in the last quarter, thanks to a boost in traffic for August and September.

British Columbia Ferries Services Inc. announced second quarter net earnings of $66.5 million.

The service says revenue also increased because it took in $7.4 million in ferry transportation fees from the B.C. government.

The announcements come just a month after BC Ferries said it would be increasing fares by 12 per cent over the next three years and represent a shift from a pattern of falling foot passenger and vehicle traffic numbers.

BC Ferries says its operating expenses increased slightly from $183.4 million to $184.5 million compared with the same time last year.

The government is expected to launch a series of community consultations looking at service cuts and fare increases facing smaller communities on ferry routes.