BC Ferries Ready to Welcome Millions of Customers This Summer

May 14, 2025

VICTORIA, BC – This long weekend, BC Ferries officially begins its peak season, following months of intensive operational readiness work to prepare for the busiest travel period of the year.

Facing a complex operating environment with aging vessels, increasing seasonal demand, and limited infrastructure, BC Ferries has taken a strategic, system-wide approach to summer readiness. From completing critical refits and adding sailings to hiring seasonal staff and enhancing the customer experience, every available vessel has been carefully optimized to keep people moving safely and reliably along the coast.

Between May 15 and September 2, 2024, BC Ferries carried over 9M passengers and 3.7M vehicles on board, with similar demand expected this summer.

“We’re operating in a more complex environment – aging ships, increased demand, and busy terminals all put pressure on the system,” says Stephen Jones, Vice President of Engineering. “We’ve done the work to deliver a strong peak season. Refits are complete, crews are in place, and we’ve planned carefully to get people where they need to go safely and reliably.”

Jones adds, “We know things don’t always go perfectly, especially during peak travel periods. But we’ve done everything possible to be ready – and to be prepared to respond, if necessary. Our focus is on keeping traffic moving and improving the experience for our customers wherever we can.”

BC Ferries has implemented a series of strategic initiatives designed to enhance service reliability, efficiency, and customer experience this summer. These initiatives focus on optimizing operational performance, increasing capacity, improving environmental sustainability, and providing more flexibility for customers.

Key improvements include:
Fleet Reliability & Sustainability:

• Completion of 21 vessel refits and maintenance projects to enhance vessel performance and reliability, including the installation of fairing cones on the Queen of Oak Bay propellers to reduce fuel consumption and noise, as well as Variable Frequency Drives on the Coastal Renaissance to improve reliability, support quieter operations and reduce emissions.

Operational Efficiency & Capacity Optimization:

• Over 1,000 extra round trips across major routes to accommodate rising seasonal demand and offer more travel options.
• A new 4:30 PM sailing one way from Tsawwassen – Departure Bay, to enhance service to customers and scheduling flexibility.
• Regulatory approval for the Queen of Capilano (Horseshoe Bay – Bowen Island) to carry 150 extra foot passengers, boosting peak sailing capacity, when necessary, to 600 passengers and crew.

Customer Experience & Engagement:

• Hiring of over 600 seasonal and operational staff to support the increased seasonal demand, ensuring smoother customer experiences both at terminals and on board.
• Pet-friendly travel options with five more vessels offering outer deck pet areas for this year, including the vessels serving the Northern routes, bringing the total to 17.
• A new Seascapes Lounge experience set to open early this summer on two Spirit Class vessels serving the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay route, designed for enhanced passenger comfort.
• New Point of Interest announcements on the Inside Passage routes, developed in collaboration with First Nations along these Northern routes, offering passengers meaningful insights into the rich cultures and histories of the coastal communities we pass.

Affordability & Accessibility:

• 350,000+ Saver fare spaces to encourage off-peak travel, providing more affordable travel options for customers while optimizing fleet utilization.
• Optimized sailing schedules to better match demand, ensuring reliable service and minimizing congestion during peak times.

These improvements are aimed at helping BC Ferries manage the expected increased demand this summer, ensuring reliable service for customers while continuing to prioritize sustainability and efficient operations.

“As we prepare for what we expect will be the busiest summer yet, our team is ready to deliver the best possible service for every customer,” says Lindsay Matthews, Vice President of Public Affairs and Marketing. “We’re expecting it to be a busy season, and while we’re likely to face challenges due to the age of our fleet, we’re committed to working as hard as possible to get things back on track when those situations arise, keeping customers informed every step of the way and giving them the smoothest trip possible.”

As an essential public service, throughout this summer, BC Ferries will continue to play its year-round role in connecting coastal communities with emergency services such as medical transport and wildfire support where needed.

Though challenges posed by the age of the fleet persist, BC Ferries has prepared and optimized available resources to minimize the impact of any disruptions and ensure customers are kept up to date. With four Island Class vessels expected to arrive in 2026, as well as four new major vessels scheduled to arrive (2029-2031), BC Ferries is planning for future demand and advocating for long-term resilience in the ferry system.
Summer Travel Tips

Planning ahead is essential. The new Current Conditions Beta Experience website page offers a clearer, more intuitive way to check real-time sailing and terminal updates. Accessible by browser on your mobile phone, laptop or other device, the enhanced site now includes details like how many reservations have already checked in and how many are still expected — helping customers better understand sailing availability before they travel.

Summer weekends – especially long weekends – are some of our busiest times. Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays, and Mondays tend to see the highest demand. With a little planning and flexibility, you can help ensure a smoother travel experience and avoid unnecessary delays.

• Book in advance where possible to secure a spot on a sailing day and time of your choice.
• Travel on an alternate, less busy route between Vancouver Island and the Mainland if you can.
• Take advantage of Saver fares to save on travel costs.
• Consider booking travel during off-peak hours, such as early mornings or late evenings.
• Use public transit and walk on board to simplify your journey.
• Arrive early—customers with bookings should arrive 45 minutes before sailing. If you’re without a booking, be prepared to wait.
• Stay informed on your travel day by checking Current Conditions and signing up for Service Notices for updates on your route.

Please see the Operational Readiness Resources Pack for more about what we’re doing to serve customers better this summer. We look forward to welcoming you on board this summer and connecting you with the people and places you love.

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NT4