Transportation

BC Ferries lowers fare card top-up limits at kiosks

Adobe Stock

April 9, 2026

Summarize with

BC Ferries is lowering the minimum reload amount for vehicle Experience Cards purchased online and at self-service kiosks, reducing the threshold from $130 to $100 beginning April 15, according to a Chek News report. The change applies across all routes where the program is available and is intended to improve affordability and flexibility for frequent travelers, particularly in ferry-dependent communities.

BC Ferries operates in British Columbia, serving coastal and island communities along Canada's west coast. The Experience Card program, introduced in 2008, allows users on select routes to prepay for travel at discounted rates. It is widely used on routes without reservations, making it an important tool for regular commuters and residents in remote or ferry-reliant regions.

Company officials said the adjustment follows customer feedback that the previous minimum posed a financial barrier. The updated policy allows customers to reload cards online or at terminal kiosks at the lower amount, while in-person reloads at terminals will continue to require a $130 minimum. Passenger-only cards remain unchanged, with a $50 minimum.

BC Ferries also emphasized that encouraging digital and kiosk-based transactions can help streamline operations at busy terminals. By shifting more users to self-service options, the company aims to reduce lines and improve traffic flow during peak travel periods.