Changes are coming for travellers heading to and from the Sunshine Coast. On Monday, BC Ferries announced that passengers travelling between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale (Route 3) will see 120 additional sailings during the shoulder seasons. The seasonal increase will run from mid-May to late June, and again from September to mid-October. It includes two additional late-afternoon round-trip sailings on peak-demand days, with departures from Horseshoe Bay at 3:45 p.m. and 6:05 p.m., and return sailings from Langdale at 4:55 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. BC Ferries says it is also increasing overall bookable space on the route to an average of 70 per cent through the end of April. The goal is to help more passengers secure spots on peak sailings in advance, while still maintaining drive-up access on every trip. The company adds the change will significantly expand access to its lowest-priced tickets. “It also means three times more of BC Ferries’ most affordable fares — saver fares that start at $39 — are available, helping shift some travel away from peak periods,” the company said in a statement. “This creates more space on the busiest sailings for customers who need to travel at those times.” According to BC Ferries, more than 40 per cent of customers on the Horseshoe Bay–Langdale route travelled with a reservation last summer. While reservable space often sold out, overall capacity utilization on the route sat at 63 per cent. Commission probe highlights losses The announcement comes as concerns remain about the route’s financial performance. In September, the BC Ferries Commissioner received a letter from Gibsons Mayor Silas White requesting a performance review of Route 3, which connects Horseshoe Bay and Langdale. The report, released last month, shows BC Ferries recorded losses of more than $30 million on the route before government subsidies, or $24 million after subsidies in 2025. It also found that since 2020, the operating revenues on Route 3 increased by 23 per cent, while expenses rose by 50 per cent — more than double the rate of revenue growth. “This widening gap between revenues and costs is the primary driver of the increased losses on the route,” the report states. The commission notes that operating losses on Route 3 are growing faster than elsewhere in the ferry system. While detailed comparisons were limited, the report points to rising labour costs, including wage increases, travel expenses, and staffing levels, along with additional sailings and higher terminal cost allocations as key factors. BC Ferries says the service changes are based on route data and feedback from customers, local governments, and community members, and align with findings from the commission’s report. The company adds it will continue working with Sunshine Coast communities and the provincial government to ensure future decisions strike the right balance.
