It'll cost you more to ride BC Ferries

Photo: CTV

BC Ferries is adding a 3.5 per cent fuel surcharge to most of its routes starting Jan. 17.

The ferry operator says the surcharge will apply to all routes except for sailings from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert, and Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii.

In a news release, the company blames high diesel fuel costs, explaining that current prices are 14 cents per litre higher than what the province's ferry commissioner used to determine the cap on fares.

The surcharge could add several dollars to some trips, with a family of four travelling between Vancouver and Victoria paying an extra $3.25 for a one-way trip.

The company says northern sailings aren't affected because the ferry commissioner uses a different process to manage fares on those routes.

BC Ferries has taken a number of steps recently to bring down costs, including announcing plans to eliminate thousands of sailings across the province and eliminate some discounts.