BC Ferries unveils schedules for Gulf Islands and northern routes

BCFerries has finalized plans to cut nearly 7,000 scheduled sailings from 16 Gulf Islands and northern routes, in order to save the corporation an estimated $14 million per year.

The new schedules were posted on the BC Ferries website following six weeks of consultation with coastal communities impacted by the service cuts.They will go into effect April 28.

• Read more about the fight against BC Ferriescuts

While none of the routes will see sailings restored, some times have been changed to meet local demand.

On Gabriola Island, for example, the local ferry advisory committee successfully pushed to keep late night sailings.But they'll come at the expense of some mid-day trips.

"Obviously the communities don't like the fact that on average their sailings are being reduced by eight per cent, but we were able to work with them as best we could to minimize the impact," said CEO Mike Corrigan.

Starting April 1, regular fares on most BC Ferries routes will alsoincreasefour per cent andtheseniors' discount will be cut in half.