BC Ferries is doubling the fuel surcharge on its major routes between the mainland and Vancouver Island just in time for Christmas.
The surcharge will jump to five per cent from 2.5 per cent on Dec. 12.
It will apply to the three major routes from the Metro Vancouver region to Victoria and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.
A fuel surcharge of 2.5 per cent will also be added to the route between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale on the Sunshine Coast northwest of Vancouver.
BC Ferries says it needs to impose the fees because of the rising cost of marine diesel fuel.
The company says its annual fuel cost was $45.9 million in 2003 and while it's reduced fuel consumption by about five per cent since then, it expects fuel costs this fiscal year could be over $120 million.
