The decision by B.C. Ferries to refund unused assured loading tickets is long overdue, says opposition ferries critic Gary Coons, but doesn't go far enough to bring real fairness to the marine transportation network.

"Ferry users and the official opposition have been calling for months for B.C. Ferries to do the right thing and offer refunds," said Coons, the MLA for North Coast. "That it's taken this long for the corporation to take this step is more evidence that the B.C. Liberals' vision for a so-called privatization of B.C. Ferries has been a failure."

In April, the corporation announced it would be strictly adhering to a two-year expiration date on the passes. The decision would have meant about 3,000 ferry users would be out a total of roughly $1.2 million. After months of pressure, the ferry corporation relented Tuesday and agreed to offer refunds, but only if passengers applied before Oct. 24.

"Under the current Liberal model for B.C. Ferries, the corporation has lost sight of its primary mandate, which is to provide basic transportation for British Columbians," said Coons. "They've lost sight of the needs of their customers. That leads to decisions like the one to refuse to honour these passes.

"It's time for B.C. Ferries to take adequate steps to stabilize ferry fares – which is what the Liberals promised would happen when they announced this so-called privatized corporation."