Residents travelling between the Comox Valley and Powell River could receive priority access to ferry reservations under a new BC NDP election promise.

The party is proposing a “locals-first” pilot project for the Little River–Westview route between Comox and Powell River.

Under the plan, 10 per cent of the space available for advance reservations would be reserved for local residents until four days before a sailing.

Another two per cent of reservable space would remain available exclusively to local travellers until 24 hours before departure.

Any space remaining within those reserved portions would presumably be released to other passengers once the respective deadlines passed, although complete program details have not been announced.

The same reservation system would also be tested on the route connecting Horseshoe Bay and Langdale on the Sunshine Coast.

The NDP has not said when the pilot project would begin or how passengers would be required to establish their local residency.

The proposal is a provincial election commitment rather than a confirmed BC Ferries policy and would only move forward if the party forms government following the October 24 election.