For Immediate Release
23-015
June 7, 2023

MAJOR TERMINAL EFFICIENCY APPLICATION BEFORE COMMISSIONER FOR APPROVAL

VICTORIA – If granted permission to proceed, BC Ferries is poised to undertake a multi-million dollar project aimed at transforming check-in and boarding processes for customers at its five major terminals.

The Major Terminal Efficiencies (MTE) application to the British Columbia Ferries Commissioner proposes how customers arriving at Duke Point, Tsawwassen, Horseshoe Bay, Departure Bay, and Swartz Bay will benefit from:

• reduced ticketing and check-in wait times
• a seamless, contactless journey for foot passenger travel provided by enhanced kiosks, fare gates and boarding pass validation
• express lane check-in at the terminals for pre-paid reserved customers in vehicles.

The project draws upon the experience and best practices of leading transportation terminals globally where the proposed technology is already in use.

MTE will be implemented over four years. Foot passenger travel enhancements at Tsawwassen and vehicle express lanes at Duke Point will be operational in the fall of 2024. Remaining terminals will be completed by the fall of 2027.

Under the Coastal Ferry Act, BC Ferries must not incur a major capital expenditure in excess of $25 million without first obtaining the Commissioner's approval of the expenditure. The Commissioner must respond to BC Ferries’ application within two months.

The application is now posted on the Commissioner’s website for public feedback until July 5, 2023. The document is also posted on BC Ferries’ website.

Over 16.5 million passengers and 6.8 million vehicles travelled through BC Ferries’ major terminals last fiscal year.

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