B.C. Ferries Fuel Costs, Fares Rise

Passengers on British Columbia's ferry routes will be paying a little more starting next month, as the latest fuel surcharge takes effect. The province's ferry commissioner has approved a surcharge of 1.5 percent on the major routes between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland - and three percent on all other routes. The fare boost follows an earlier fuel surcharged levied last July - four percent on major routes and six percent on the smaller runs. According to CBC News, the commissioner noted that fuel prices in the second half of 2005 were significantly higher than forecast when that increase took effect. Passengers could face another surcharge this June, if current fuel price forecasts hold up. B.C. Ferries is projecting a fuel bill of $66 million in 2006, up from $43.4 million last year. (Source: CBC News)