For the first six months of 2012, BC Ferries is reporting a 3% reduction in vehicle traffic on Route 19 compared to the same period last year. Passenger numbers are down as well – but only by 1.5%.

These half-year figures may make dismal reading, but at this time last year the picture was even worse – with vehicle traffic down by 5.6% and passengers by a whopping 6.8% compared to the first six months of 2010.

It’s a similar story across most ferry routes up and down the BC coast – which makes it all the more difficult to see how the Ferry Commissioner is going to be able to keep the Fare Cap below the target of 4% for next year.

Monthly statistics for Route 19 are available on our Performance page.