BC Ferries will be allowed a rate hike of more than four per cent a year on major routes and more than eight per cent a year on northern and minor routes.
A preliminary report by the BC Ferry commissioner says the fares can go up April 1 every year from 2012 to 2015.
Members of the public have until June 30 to comment on the proposed fare hikes, before a final decision is made by Sept. 30.
BC Ferries was seeking increases up to 20 per cent on main routes, 60 per cent on minor ones and 100 per cent on northern routes over the next four years because of rising costs and stagnant ridership.
The commission challenged BC Ferries to improve productivity and find alternative service providers for several routes, including the northern route in winter, service from Powell River to Comox and Texada Island, and the Buckley Bay-Denman Island route.
Transportation Minister Blair Lekstrom said the rate hikes are too high.
"Families are being strained right now. Transportation is a big part of their budget on a day-to-day basis."
Lekstrom said he would go through the report and discuss it with his caucus colleagues.
BC Liberals privatized the ferries in 2003 but continue to subsidize ferry service with $150 million a year.
