Free rides for BC Ferries workers could end, minister says

The free passes enjoyed by BC Ferries employees and their families may be cut, after B.C.'s Minister of Transportation Todd Stonesaid the company must do whatever it takes to trim its budget.

Stone was responding tocalls from the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation to end the free rides,after recent announcements of financial stress, service cuts, and a reduction in seniors' discounts from the company.

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The minister told the CBC that scrapping the seniors' discount was the hardest decision he had ever had to make in his career, but said that he was speaking to BC Ferries about ending the free rides.

"Ifmaking changes to their employees passes can get them to their $54 milliontarget, then that's a decision BC Ferries can certainly make," said Stone.

BC Ferries still has not revealed exactly how many free passes have been issued and say theirantiquated computer system is still working on the data.

ClaireTravena,NDPTransportation Critic, is troubled by the lack of information.

"BC Ferries can't come up with a single figure," saidTravena.

"We know that they've been upgrading their computer system ... You can track down your own ferry rides, why can't they track down how many people are actually using this?"

BC Ferries has revealed that back in 2010, some 4200 staff, 3200 family members and some contractors had the free passes, which also cover vehicles.

CBC News has calculated that, ifall 7400 passholders rode the ferry once a month, at the average fare reported tothe Ferry Commission of $105per trip, free pass use represents more than $9 million peryear in lost revenue.

By comparison, thatfigure is $3 million more than the provincial savings of approximately $6 million per year from cutting seniors' discounts.

BC Ferries presidentMichaelCorrigansays it has no plans to touch staff passes, whichare a taxable benefit and, he says,cost nothing.

"Because we sail at 50 percent capacity, there is really no cost to BC Ferries."