Travelling with a TAP booking

To provide you with more travel certainty, you can book a free reservation online then redeem your booking at the terminal by presenting a completed TAP form to the ticket agent*. This is available on all bookable routes, where space is available.

To book a TAP reservation online:

• Choose your route and travel dates.
• Enter the number of passengers and select "Travel Assistance Program (TAP)" on the passenger details page. Enter all passengers travelling. Those who are not covered under the TAP program will pay the appropriate fare at the terminal when checking in.
• Select the "Reservation only" fare when choosing a sailing (reservation check-in policies apply).

You will need to enter credit card details to hold the reservation, but your credit card will only be charged if you do not redeem your booking or your TAP form is not completed (rates vary based on the route). Payment of additional passengers or vehicle length not covered by the TAP program will be collected at the terminal when checking in.

* If you arrive at the terminal without a completed TAP form, your booking will not be honoured and you will be charged the At Terminal fare. You then travel standby on the next available sailing. No refunds are available after you travel if you have an incomplete TAP form or have already paid your fare and reservation fee. If you do not cancel your booking in advance and choose not to travel, a no-show fee will be charged to your credit card on file. 

View change and cancellation fees policies

Travelling without a TAP booking

When you arrive at the terminal, present your completed TAP form to the ticket agent and you will travel standby on the next available sailing.

Important: If you do not have a reservation, you may experience sailing waits at the terminal. Free reservations are provided for TAP customers on all bookable routes, where space is available. 
 

Fully bookable routes

We recommend booking a free TAP reservation online for our routes that are 100% bookable. MAL letters are not accepted on fully bookable routes.

Patients travelling on the following routes can make a free TAP booking online for any available sailing:

• Port Hardy – Prince Rupert
• Prince Rupert – Skidegate
• Port Hardy – Bella Coola, including sailings to Bella Bella, Klemtu, Shearwater and Ocean Falls
• Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands

If you are not able to find space on the sailing you need, contact our Customer Service Centre at 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) and an agent will assist you.

If there is a ticket agent at the terminal, present them with your completed TAP form and MAL letter. They will board you on the next available sailing.

If you are travelling through a terminal that does not have a ticket booth, make your presence known to a vessel crew member and present them with your TAP form and MAL letter. They will direct you on how to board the sailing. 
 

On non-bookable routes, you must arrive at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing’s departure time.

• A completed Ministry of Health Travel Assistance Program (TAP) Request for Travel Assistance form that includes a Medical Services Plan (MSP) confirmation number, AND
• A letter signed by your medical practitioner (see below under "Information for medical practitioners" for MAL letter requirements).

Medical Assured Loading letters must be issued to the patient by a medical practitioner and include the following information:

• Letterhead, including office address and contact information
• Date of issue
• Patient’s name (for minors, include the name of the parent or legal guardian)
• The route or departure terminals the patient will be travelling through.
• Date/s of travel or an expiry date. If no expiry date is given, the letter will be valid for one year from the date of issue.
• A statement reading: “This patient is travelling under the Provincial Government's Travel Assistance Program and requires Medical Assured Loading on the next available sailing as it is necessary for them to avoid a wait at the terminal.” Information regarding the patient’s condition or health is not required.
• Medical practitioner’s signature

Does the Ministry of Health TAP cover the cost of travel for all vehicle types?
No, TAP travel is only valid for one standard vehicle up to 20 ft (6.10 m), the patient and escort (if approved by referring physician).

Can I travel to my appointment on a different route then my home from my appointment?
No, patients must return to their home community via the same BC Ferries route that they used to attend the specialist appointment or specialty medical service.

Can I still call into the Customer Service Centre to make my booking?
Yes, you can also call the Customer Service Centre at 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) to make a TAP booking.
 

What if my medical appointment changes and I have to cancel?
Customers can find information about change and cancellation fees for TAP travel here.
 

Why aren’t the cancellation and change policies the same for all routes?
The TAP cancellation and change policies are based on the current terms and conditions for other fare types. For TAP bookings, we have added more flexibility as we understand medical appointments change or get cancelled. These additions include allowing free changes and cancellations up until 11:59 PM the day before departure for travel between Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.
 

Are there any options if crew shortages or mechanical issues force the cancellation of my sailing (and the next sailing would still get me to my appointment)?
When a cancellation occurs we attempt to move all booked customers to the next available sailing and accommodate TAP customers in these circumstances.
 

What about smaller terminals and routes that aren’t bookable?

• The Provincial Government’s TAP program covers travel costs on all routes. Online bookings are only available on select routes at this time.

• Medical Assured Loading (MAL) is available for those travelling using a TAP form where their medical practitioner has determined an extended wait at a ferry terminal for a ferry sailing could cause a health concern.

• Patients travelling on MAL are required to:

  1. Obtain a signed MAL letter from a medical practitioner.

  2. Arrive at the terminal prior to the required check-in time (view departure terminal check-in windows)

  3. Present both the signed MAL letter from a medical practitioner and a completed TAP form to the ticket agent or vessel staff.
      

Can’t you provide a separate service lane for customers heading to medical appointments?
Many of our smaller terminals don’t currently have a dedicated lane or space set aside for medical travel. We will review processes at these terminals to identify opportunities for improvement.
 

What about customers travelling out of Langdale where they don’t have to pay and typically show a TAP form on the way back from Horseshoe Bay?

• All customers who wish to use the free TAP booking must show the completed TAP form when they check-in at the terminal.

• The completed TAP form confirms the patient is a BC Resident, travelling to a medical appointment covered by the Provincial Government’s TAP program.

• Patients can request an electronic copy of their TAP form from their medical practitioner to attend an appointment. Once the patient has received and printed the form, they can make a booking.
   

How does this affect Medical Assured Loading (MAL)?

• The program remains in place for customers who qualify and hold the proper documentation.

• Customers travelling with MAL will still need to access the Travel Assistance Program (TAP) to cover the cost of travel and qualify for MAL.

• Free online bookings for TAP travellers provide our customers with travel certainty to medical appointments on bookable routes.

Who would use MAL with this new complimentary online booking service in place?
TAP bookings are not a replacement for the MAL program. Some customers may not know what time they will be discharged from the hospital and unable to make a booking in advance.

MAL customers with a completed TAP form can drive up to any terminal, with the exception of the fully bookable routes (North Coast and Tsawwassen - Southern Gulf Islands), prior to the required check-in time (view departure terminal check-in windows) and secure their spot on the next available sailing - no booking required.

What about medical emergencies?
We have accommodations in place with BC Ambulance, for emergency travel on all routes. The Provincial Government’s TAP program is only available for non-emergency medical travel. Our Customer Service Centre is available to answer questions or discuss travel options if bookings are sold out at Customer Service Centre at 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779).

Can I book a free reservation if I don’t have a credit card?
Customers without credit cards can call the Customer Service Centre at 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) to make special arrangements for a free TAP booking.

As a TAP customer, will space always be available for me to book?
No, bookable space is limited and often sell out on our more popular sailings. The amount of bookable deck space, for all reservation types, varies by ship and sailing time. We strongly recommend that you book ahead to secure a spot on board your preferred sailing.