BG Ferries seeks fare advi BC Ferries is seeking the public's views on the best way to increase fares to offset inflation, rising fuel prices and vessel main- tenance costs, BC Ferries plans to request the equivalent of a 3.8 per cent fare increase from the provincial govern- ment before the end of the calendar year, to take effect in eatly 2001. Fares have not increased since November 1997. “Over the past eight months, BC Ferries has held consultations with the Coastal Council and other key stakeholders about tare equity,” said) President and CEO Bap Lingwood. “We have alse evaluated the public input received on our discus. sion paper issued in) June, Based on the feedback, three uptions have emerged. Now we would like to know which option will work the best for our customers.” In this final stage of con: sultation, the Crown corpo: ration is secking input from key interest groups and the public on whether to iNerease fares across the board or make changes that introduce the concept of equity based on route distance. BC Ferries’ current fare system is comples, with more than 300 different Gres. The three options that have Safety awarded | emerged from the public consultation — process tu achieve a 3.8) per cent increase include: MB An across-the-board increase based on the inflation. (Inflation has increased four per cent sitice the last tariff increase in 1997); BoA distance-based structure, with some fares going up and going down, BoA. distance-based fare structure, with some route fares going up and some remaining frozen. “A fare increase is critical to sustaining BC Ferries’ new funding framework.” said Lingwood. *To remain with- in this new financial frame- fare Toute some NEWS photo Mike Waketicld , FROMME elementary students Carmel Maxwell (left), Agathe ip, Hannah Shu, Andrew Vereczkul and Liam Anderson (foreground right) are among 20 patrollers “at thelr school who received a BCAA performance award for good work. oe a, a ey a Se Cooling system check - pressure test, check hoses & belts, radiator RAT Rotate fires, check brokes © Check all fais, top up windshield wather fluid RECEIVE a5 Bane BRAKE PADS OR SHOES. When installed achining o| ‘plus tox & installation BUF Io HIGH CUSTOMER DEMAND SPECIAL HELD OVER TH Nov.. 15/00 We honour ail competiters’ lifetime warranties an breike shoes & pads. Owners Mark and Mike are factory trained dealership experienced mechanics without the attitude or price. PICKUP & DRO? OFF SERVICE © COURTESY CARS AVAILABLE * OPEN 8im - Sra, MON-FRI, SATURDAYS 9-5 “9 24 UR EMERGENCY SERVICE: MARK 715-2625, MIKE 728-2625, RIC 710-2625 M2 Auto includes most cars and trucks with rs Or drums y ’ 170 West 14th St. North Van. : "1/2 block east of Pemberton Le on ae 4 cost of _ stakeholders Ce work, the corporation must break even.” At Horseshoe Bay. the three options would affect fares on all three ferry routes, both for cars and individual passengers: @ For the Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay run, rates for Passengers would rise from $7.50 to $7.75 (option one) or $8 (options two or three). For cars, rates would rise from $22.75 to $23.75 (options one and two) or $24 (option three); 8 For the Horseshoe Bay to Langdale run, passenger rates would increase from §7.73 to S8 (option one), decrease to $7.30 (option wwo) or be frozen at) $7.75 (option three). Rates for cars would increase trom $22.75 to $23.75 (option one), drop to $22.50 (option wo) or remain frozen at) $22.75 (option three); @ For the Horseshoe Bay to Bowen Island ren, rates for passengers would rise from $5.50 to $5.75 (option one; fall to $5.25 (option two) or remain frozen at $5.50 (option three). For car traffic, the existing $16 rate would rise to $16.75 (option one), fall to $15 (option wwe) or remain frozen at $16 (option three). BC Ferries has taken steps towards increasing efficiency with an overhead reduction of $5 million per year, which involyed eliminating 65 non- fleet positions. Further effi- ciencies have been made by streamlining business prac- tices, revamping budget processes and undertaking long-term planning. Consultation with key across the province is targeted for com- pletion by Friday, Dec. 1, 2000, The public is encour- aged to comment on the pro- posal, which is available on BC Ferries’ Web site at or by contacting the toll-free num- ber 1-877-281-1294. Sunday. November 12. 2000 — MNortht Shore News - 13 GROW YOUR BUSINESS! WITH THE INTERNET E-Commerce Trade Show f WHEN: November 16, 2000 | 3:00 to 5:00pm WHERE: North Shore Winter Club, 1325 East Keith Road COST: $10 per person Free to seminar participants & students with valid student ID The E-Commerce Trade Show will feature several exhibitors who can heip you: © Develep an E-commerce strategy Design your web site sieaais © Set up and secure your site Soxtievascutvia ® Market your site CHAMBER OF MORE INFORMATION: COMMERCE Call 987-4488 or injo@nvchamber.bc.ca or visit the Chamber Web Site at www. nvchamber.bc.ca Introducing the Planned Giving Handbook This new brochure is another publication in ScotsaMcLeod's Wealth Planning Scries. As part of an overall estate plan, planned giving can be of benefit to many individuals. In addition to the important humanitarian aspect of this type of planning, the advantages from a tax consideration have grown. There are ways in which this ype of planning can be very advantageous to you and the charity of your choice. 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