B.C. Ferries will scrap 32 round-trip sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen this fall and winter, making it a little harder to get off the island.
The service reduction on the major route will impact periodic afternoon sailings on Fridays and Sundays, as well as some Saturday morning sailings.
“We certainly have the enough capacity (to carry all passengers) with the sailings we will sail,” said Deborah Marshall, executive director of public affairs for B.C. Ferries.
Regular odd-hour service will continue, and the reduction will only impact some even-hour sailings. Two other major routes – Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay, and Horseshoe Bay to Duke Point – will see fewer sailings, too.
“This is all in an effort to save dollars, which helps keep fares lower,” Marshall said.
She said it’s estimated the 98 total scrapped round-trip sailings will save B.C. Ferries $1 million this year.