Victoria Clipper suspending ferry service until spring 2022

SEATTLE — The FRS Clipper announced that it is suspending fast ferry service between Seattle and Victoria, B.C. until spring 2022.

The decision was made to due to low ridership, the company said.

Service resumed in September after a 17-month break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Unfortunately we had to make the tough business decision to suspend operations for fall/winter due to low ridership demand,” a statement from an FRS clipper spokesperson said.

The company also pointed to public confusion about the state of border openings paired with “stringent Canadian PCR test requirements” as reasons that continuing service wasn’t viable.

“For now, we’ll be reduced back down to a core staff of ten employees to bridge into spring. Tough day and decision for Clipper but a reality with the ongoing challenge of the pandemic,” the statement continued.

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