B.C. transportation minister says balancing budget means tough ferries decisions

VICTORIA – B.C.’s transportation minister is defending ferry-service cuts, particularly on minor and northern routes, saying the high cost of low ridership can’t be justified.

Todd Stone told the legislature hours before the government delivered its budget the Discovery Coast circle-tour route, which connects Port Hardy on Vancouver Island with several central coast communities, lost almost $7.5 million last year.

He says the vessel servicing the summer-only route will need to be replaced within three years at a cost of more than $100 million.

Stone says the three-month service for about 500 vehicles is not sustainable and balancing the budget requires the government to make tough decisions.

The New Democrats say service adjustments effective April 28 mean it will take 33 hours instead of the current eight hours to make the trip, and the reduced vessel size will accommodate only 16 vehicles at a time, down from 115 vehicles.

New Democrat MLA Gary Holman says constituents are complaining that communities will become ghost towns, while his North Island colleague Claire Trevena says European tour operators are horrified about the cuts to the popular attraction.