Here's how BC Ferries applies the penalty (one way) for coming to or going from Vancouver Island with a trailer:
The passenger vehicle price is a fixed amount, approximately $50 as I recall. The vehicle can be up to 20 feet in length. Anything longer is charged $5.60 for each additional foot.
Our van and trailer length equals 30 ft. so the trailer fare/passage costs us $56.
The ticket sellers are often sceptical when we say our overall length is 30 ft., and if it's slow they come out and take a physical measurement to see for themselves.
The odd one has been pretty mean - but they shouldn't be with getting good union wages, benefits, and government job security.
Ridership on the ferries is reportedly the lowest in 20 years in spite of large population increases around the mainland and Vancouver Island terminals. BC Ferries has priced themselves above what the market will bear so discretionary travel has dropped way off, leaving commercial and other compulsory (e.g., medical) travel to support the corporation.
Any amateur economist knows that there is a point where you price your product too high and the results are diminishing sales, revenue, and profits. In recent years the corporation has morphed into a strange hybrid described as "publicly owned but private-functioning" or dysfunctioning, one might say.
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