Welcome to April: higher BC Hydro rates, fares for BC Ferries

Most people probably knew it was coming, but as of Sunday, it's officially a reality.

Both BC Hydro rates and fares for BC Ferries have gone up.

Hydro's rates rose by 3.5 per cent, which keeps in line with the corporation's 10-year pricing plan.

The increase means the average monthly residential bill will go up by about $3.74.

The new ratesare to help update BC Hydro's aging infrastructure andenable the corporation to keep up with the ever-growing need for power.

This winter demand for electricity hit a three-year provincial highin the midst of a two-week cold snap on the South Coast.

Ferry fares

BC Ferries' fares are up 1.9 per cent this weekend, keeping in line with its annual pricing caps set out in 2015.

For example, that means passengers 12-years-old and up will pay $17.20 for a one-way trip, while standard vehicles now cost $57.50 for Vancouver Island Mainland routes.

The rate increases are just two of several for 2017, which include increases to ICBC's basic rate, property taxes in Vancouver and an increase of 10 centsfor single-use tickets and $2for monthly passesfor TransLink, which will kick in in July.

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