BC Ferries hikes rates

Spring may be coming, but don't expect anybargains on the way to the islands for a holiday.

Starting April 1, BC Ferries is hiking fareson the three main routes between the mainland and Vancouver Islandby seven per centto $43 for a car and driverand$13 for passengers and pedestrians.

All other southern fares will be hikedfour per cent. The price change will not affect northernfares, which have already been set through Sept. 30, 2008.

The fare increases are necessary because of the rising cost of fuel as well as operating and capital expenditures, said the ferry corporation in a statement released Wednesday.

And customers can expect things to get worse before they get better.

"If world oil prices remain at the current historically high levels, BC Ferries expects a fuel surcharge will be automatically implemented by the fall," warned the ferry corporation.

Customers with prepaid tickets won't escape the pinch, either. After April 16, anyone with prepaid paper tickets will be required to pay any price difference at the ticket booth.

InSeptember 2007, the B.C. Ferry Commission, which regulates the fares and service requirements of ferry service on provincially-regulated routes, approvedtotal fare increases of up to 27 per cent over four years,starting April 1.