Community Drop-in: Update November 21, 2022

BC Ferries has heard the requests from Hornby Islanders for a larger vessel on the route and we understand the strong desire for an increase in service. We realize there is a need for more capacity on this route at peak times, as well as a number of other routes throughout the ferry system.

In September of 2022, we presented our Performance Term Six Submission (PT6) to the BC Ferries Commissioner. The submission provides financial and service planning information that helps the Commissioner in setting a price cap, the maximum allowable increase to fares for the next four years (2024-2028). The submission includes proposals for many needed service enhancements for our customers. This includes new vessels as well as a number of near-term service enhancements to increase capacity on some inter-island routes, including the Denman – Hornby route, as well as major routes and northern routes.

For the Denman Island – Hornby Island route, we are planning to deploy a larger vessel in the peak season starting as early as next summer. The MV Quinitsa, which carries approximately 44 vehicles, will replace the current vessel, the MV Kahloke, which carries approximately 21 vehicles in the summer months. The Kahloke would transition to the Buckley Bay – Denman Island route to provide supplementary service alongside the Baynes Sound Connector for the peak season. We are confirming our plans now and will keep the community updated on this page.

The Commissioner will make the final determination on the PT6 price caps by September 30, 2023. In the meantime, we encourage community members to review and provide feedback on the submission by visiting the Commission’s website at www.bcferrycommission.ca.

Under contract to the Province, BC Ferries is the service provider responsible for ferry service along coastal British Columbia.