BC Ferries To Mark 65 Years Connecting Coastal Communities

BC Ferries will mark 65 years of connecting British Columbia’s coastal communities next week.

To recognize the milestone, all Saver fares for travel between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island on Monday, June 15th, will be priced at $65 or less – a one-day special offer to thank customers for being part of the journey.

Starting with just two ferries in 1960, BC Ferries now boasts a 37-vessel fleet carrying over 22 million passengers and 8 million vehicles every year, growing into one of the largest ferry systems in the world.

President and CEO Nicolas Jimenez says a lot has changed in 65 years, but what hasn’t is their purpose - to connect people and communities.

“This milestone is a moment to thank our staff and customers, and to recognize the work ahead. We're focused on renewing our aging fleet, improving reliability, and building a ferry system that can keep up with the demands of the future,” he said.

The oldest ship in the fleet, the Queen of New Westminster, turns 61 this year, and BC Ferries says the milestone underscores the importance of fleet and infrastructure renewal across the system, especially as seasonal demand continues to rise and reliability remains top of mind for customers.

BC Ferries is advancing several major initiatives to improve service and reliability, including four new diesel-electric hybrid Island Class vessels expected to arrive next year, and a significant terminal upgrade at Horseshoe Bay.

With BC’s population projected to grow by over 40% by 2046, and ferry demand steadily rising, the company says it will continue to advocate for further fleet expansion to ensure the system remains reliable and resilient for the decades ahead.

For details on 65th Anniversary Saver fares, visit BC Ferries.