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British Columbia Ferry Services Inc., or BC Ferries, is known for safety, spectacular scenery and a proud maritime history.
What began in 1960 as a two vessel, two terminal operation has grown into one of the largest, most sophisticated ferry transportation systems in the world. Our fleet of 35 vessels serves a diverse range of communities - up to 47 ports of call - along the coast of British Columbia, Canada.
As the primary provider of coastal ferry service in the province, BC Ferries recognizes its unique role in the region's economy. From maintaining a constant flow of goods and services, to linking families and friends, to attracting tourists to our many unique destinations, our company is a key participant in the development of coastal communities.
BC Ferries is a de facto Crown Corporation that provides all major passenger and vehicle ferry services for coastal and island communities in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Set up in 1960 to provide a similar service to that provided by the Black Ball Line and the Canadian Pacific Railway, which were affected by job action at the time, BC Ferries has become the largest passenger ferry line in North America and the second largest in the world, boasting a fleet of 36 vessels with a total passenger and crew capacity of over 27,000, serving 49 locations on the B.C. coast.
As BC Ferries provides an essential link from mainland Canada to the various islands on its routes, it is subsidized by Transport Canada. The subsidy for 2004-2005 was CAD $25 million and is adjusted annually to keep pace with the rate of inflation. The inland ferries operating on British Columbia's rivers and lakes are not run by BC Ferries. The responsibility for their provision rests with the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation, which contracts operation to various private sector companies.
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