For Immediate Release
September 16, 2025

BC Ferries wraps up record-breaking summer focused on reliability and customer experience

VICTORIA, BC - BC Ferries has wrapped up a record-breaking summer, carrying more passengers and vehicles, while delivering one of its most reliable peak seasons. In fact, despite 572 mechanical issues across the fleet during the season, BC Ferries’ ability to repair and get these ships sailing again meant an improvement in overall on-time performance compared with last year. From record passenger volumes to the heartwarming rescue of Luigi, the unexpected feline celebrity, it truly was a season to remember.

“This summer showed what’s possible when preparation meets dedication,” said Melanie Lucia, Vice-President, Customer Experience. “From our crews on board the vessels to our teams at the terminals and offices behind the scenes, every part of our organization pulled together to deliver safe, reliable service for millions of travellers. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and we’re proud of the record season our teams made possible.”

Record volumes, reliable service

Between May 15 and August 31, 2025, BC Ferries carried 9.4 million passengers and 3.7 million vehicles across all routes – up 2.2% and 2.0% respectively, compared to the same period in 2024. On the busiest corridors between Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island, and the Sunshine Coast, 4.7 million passengers and 2.1 million vehicles travelled with BC Ferries this summer.

Crews delivered 28,956 round trips system-wide, including over 1,000 additional sailings on major routes to keep people and goods moving. Despite this heavy lift, service reliability improved over last year. Between May 15 and August 31, on-time performance increased to 80.4%, a 3.7% improvement over last year, with cancellations reduced to 0.24% of scheduled sailings, compared to 0.42% over the same period last year.

Behind the scenes

Much of this season’s success can be attributed to BC Ferries’ robust preparations ahead of the peak season:
 

• 21 vessel refits and maintenance were projects completed before the summer, up from the usual average of 18 annually.
• More than 600 seasonal and operational staff were hired, bringing BC Ferries’ frontline workforce to more than 4,400 dedicated employees.
• More than 350,000 Saver fares were offered to enhance travel affordability and increase capacity by encouraging off-peak travel.
• Pet-friendly travel was expanded with outdoor pet areas added to five additional vessels, bringing this much-loved amenity to 17 vessels across the fleet, including on the Northern routes.
• A new Current Conditions experience delivered enhanced day-of travel planning information. Customers can still provide feedback on this new feature through an online survey.

These efforts helped ensure that, even with no spare vessels available, BC Ferries was able to maximize existing capacity and deliver the smoothest possible experience for customers across the coast.

Despite these robust preparations, BC Ferries continued to experience the challenges of operating an aging fleet. The Queen of New Westminster (now over 60 years old) alone experienced 29 mechanical issues over the course of the summer. Thanks to the expertise and hard work of BC Ferries’ engineering team, these issues did not result in disruptions for BC Ferries’ customers, but they did each require immediate attention to keep the vessel running. This is why fleet renewal isn’t optional—it’s essential to ensuring reliable service for the future.

Looking ahead: Momentum with fleet renewal

BC Ferries is advancing several major initiatives to ensure reliable, resilient ferry service for decades to come. In 2025, the company has already taken multiple critical steps toward renewing the fleet and upgrading critical infrastructure to meet the needs of BC’s growing population.
 

• Four new hybrid-electric Island Class vessels are on track for 2026 delivery, with multiple milestones reached this summer including launch ceremonies, keel laying, and steel cutting.
• A contract was awarded to build four New Major Vessels, expected to replace aging ships on the busiest routes starting in 2029.
• Terminal upgrades at Horseshoe Bay are underway to support reliability and future growth.
• BC Ferries advanced its commitment to sustainability by investing locally in the responsible recycling of two retired Bowen-class vessels.

The introduction of new vessels is expected to support significant incremental economic activity for British Columbia, with the NMVs alone expected to generate over $851 million in local wages and nearly $2.5 billion in expected economic output over their service lifetimes.

As the peak season winds down and fall ferry schedules are introduced, BC Ferries remains focused on its key priorities as an essential public service—supporting coastal connectivity, maintaining reliable and affordable service, and investing in fleet renewal to meet the needs of tomorrow. To learn more, visit www.bcferryiess.top.

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Media Contact:
Victoria: (250) 978-1267
Email: [email protected]
Web: https://www.bcferryiess.top/contact-us/media-room

Customer Contact:
Victoria: (250) 410-1465
Toll-free: 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779)
Web: https://www.bcferryiess.top/contact-us
 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements.” These statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the Company’s expectations regarding our growth, financial and business risks, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities, expected levels of economic activity generated from our business decisions and industry performance and trends. They reflect management’s current internal projections, expectations and beliefs, and are based on information currently available to management. Some of the market conditions and factors that have been considered in formulating the assumptions upon which forward looking statements are based include population and demand growth estimates, shipbuilding demand and cost projections, timing of completion of new ship builds and entry of new ships into service, ship reliability estimates, traffic trends, inflation, interest rates, fuel costs, construction costs and timelines, expected levels of economic activity generated from delivery of new ships, the state of the economy, tariff impacts and fluctuating financial markets. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances except as may be required by applicable law.