Medical Travel and Assistance Programs

Getting to a specialist appointment off Lasqueti usually means a ferry, often a drive, sometimes a flight, and sometimes an overnight stay. Seven public and charitable programs exist to reduce or eliminate the cost of that travel. This page summarizes who runs them, who qualifies, how to apply, and what applies specifically to Route 55.

Quick reference

Program	Primary benefit	Key condition
TAP BC	100% waiver of passenger fare	Covers Route 55 since December 19, 2024
Medical Assured Loading	Priority boarding	Requires completed TAP form plus signed MAL letter
AFI card	50% off passenger tariff	Permanent disability; renew every two years
AFI attendant discount	50% off one companion fare	Attendant must be 12 or older
Angel Flight BC	Free private aircraft transport	Patient must be fully ambulatory
Hope Air	Free commercial flight, ground vouchers	Financial need; minimum two business days’ notice
BC Family Residence Program	Subsidized accommodation in Vancouver	Household income under $80,000; child 18 or under at eligible facility

Route 55: what applies, what doesn’t

Route 55 between Lasqueti and French Creek uses a passenger-only vessel with a strict legal limit of 60 passengers per sailing. No personal vehicles are transported. Program benefits tied to vehicle reservations or vehicle fare waivers do not apply here.

What does apply on Route 55:

• TAP BC waives the passenger fare in full. Route 55 was added to TAP coverage on December 19, 2024.
• The AFI card discount of 50% applies to the standard passenger tariff.
• Medical Assured Loading priority boarding should be requested with the crew, presenting both a completed TAP form and a signed MAL letter. The MAL protocol is administered by BC Ferries for routes it operates directly; Route 55 is independently operated, so confirm MAL applicability with the vessel operator before relying on it.

Arrive at False Bay at least 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing if you intend to use any of these.

Common misunderstandings

Four points come up regularly and are worth getting straight.

The AFI card now expires every two years. Following recent regulatory updates, the Accessible Fare Identification card is no longer issued for life. Cardholders must renew with updated documentation every two years to keep the discount.

Medical certification is a standalone qualification pathway. Section C of the AFI form, signed by a registered physician or nurse practitioner, qualifies you on its own. You do not need a Persons with Disabilities (PWD) designation or Canada Pension Plan Disability (CPP-D) status. The medical pathway is equally valid.

Ticket agents cannot grant Medical Assured Loading on the strength of an accessibility card alone. Priority boarding under MAL requires a completed TAP form and a signed MAL letter. The AFI card does not substitute. Staff will deny priority access if the clinical documents are absent.

Enclosed vehicle decks must be vacated while underway. Transport Canada marine safety regulations prohibit anyone from remaining on an enclosed vehicle deck while a ferry is in motion. No federal exemption exists for medical conditions or mobility limitations. Passengers on the major vessels operating from Departure Bay or Duke Point must leave enclosed car decks immediately after loading.

TAP BC

The Travel Assistance Program is a Ministry of Health initiative that waives ferry passenger fares for BC residents who must travel to access specialist medical services unavailable in their home community. Since December 19, 2024, Route 55 is fully covered.

A completed TAP form is valid for up to 90 days from the appointment date noted on it, providing flexibility if an appointment is rescheduled.

Who qualifies

• BC resident with a valid BC Services Card.
• Travelling for an insured specialist appointment or diagnostic procedure covered under the Medical Services Plan (MSP).
• The required service is unavailable in your local community.
• Direct referral by a general practitioner or nurse practitioner. GP-to-GP referrals and services not insured by MSP do not qualify.
• Travel costs not covered by another insurer (employer plan, ICBC, WorkSafeBC).

How to apply

1. At the time your specialist appointment is arranged, request a physical TAP form from your referring practitioner. The practitioner completes the clinical referral portion.
2. Call the TAP automated application line at 1-800-661-2668. The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Have your Personal Health Number (PHN) and the completed form on hand.
3. Following the automated prompts, enter your PHN, the date of your appointment, and the receiving specialist’s information.
4. Record the unique confirmation number issued by the service and write it on the form. The form is not valid without this number.
5. For major vehicle routes from Nanaimo, you can book a complimentary medical travel reservation online using the confirmation number. Vehicle reservations do not apply to the passenger-only Route 55 service.
6. Present the completed form with the confirmation number to the ticket agent or vessel crew. The fare is waived for you and, if documented as medically necessary by the physician, for one accompanying medical escort.

Medical Assured Loading (MAL)

MAL is a BC Ferries operational protocol that grants priority boarding on the next scheduled sailing, bypassing the standard terminal queue. It is available only to patients also travelling under TAP.

Who qualifies

• Travelling for specialist medical care under TAP.
• A signed letter from a medical practitioner stating that you must avoid a wait at the terminal.
• Not on a fully bookable route (Northern routes, Tsawwassen to Southern Gulf Islands). Patients on those routes use the free TAP online booking system instead.

How to apply

1. Obtain a signed MAL letter from your attending physician or medical specialist. The letter must include: the practitioner’s letterhead and contact information, date of issue, your name, the route or departure terminals, dates of travel or an expiry date, and the statement: “This patient is travelling under the Provincial Government’s Travel Assistance Program and requires Medical Assured Loading on the next available sailing as it is necessary for them to avoid a wait at the terminal.” Details of your medical condition are not required.
2. Ensure you also have a completed TAP form with a valid Ministry of Health confirmation number for the same travel date.
3. Arrive at the terminal no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled sailing. This applies to Route 55 at French Creek and Lasqueti as well as the major terminals.
4. Present both the MAL letter and the completed TAP form to the ticket agent or vessel crew.
5. Follow the boarding instructions given. For vehicle routes, place any priority routing slip clearly on the vehicle dashboard.

Accessible Fare Identification (AFI) card

The BC Ferries AFI card provides a 50% reduction on the standard passenger tariff for BC residents with a permanent disability. It is distinct from the medical travel programs above; the discount applies to any travel, not only medical travel.

Who qualifies

• BC resident.
• One of: PWD designation, CPP-D, valid CNIB card, or a permanent physical or mental disability certified by a registered physician or nurse practitioner (Section C of the application form).
• A recent passport-style photograph.

The card expires two years from the date of issuance and must be renewed.

How to apply

1. Download and print the AFI Card application from the BC Ferries website, or pick up a physical form from any terminal administration office.
2. Complete the applicant section with your full legal name, permanent residential mailing address, and a valid telephone number.
3. Attach supporting documentation. If you hold PWD or CPP-D status, include a photocopy of the designation letter or pension statement. If not, have your physician or nurse practitioner complete and sign Section C (Medical Certification) on page two. Both pathways are equally valid.
4. Attach a recent passport-style photograph against a plain background.
5. Mail the package (application, photograph, supporting documents) to the BC Ferries Customer Service office in Victoria. Processing takes two to three weeks.
6. Present the card to the ticket agent or vessel crew at the terminal. The 50% discount is applied.

AFI attendant discount

A cardholder who requires physical assistance during travel can bring one attendant at a reduced fare.

Who qualifies

• The primary traveller holds a valid, unexpired AFI card or a CNIB card.
• The accompanying attendant is 12 years of age or older.

How to apply

1. Confirm the primary traveller has the valid AFI card on hand.
2. Confirm the attendant meets the minimum age of 12.
3. Arrive at the toll booth or foot passenger ticket counter together. The discount cannot be applied if the attendant processes their ticket separately from the primary cardholder.
4. Present the AFI card to the agent before starting the transaction.
5. Request the companion discount. The agent applies a 50% reduction to the standard passenger fare for one accompanying attendant.

Angel Flight BC

Angel Flight BC is a charitable aviation organization that coordinates free private aircraft transport between Vancouver Island and Lower Mainland hubs, eliminating the need for ferry travel for eligible patients.

The aircraft are small single-engine private planes. All passengers must be fully ambulatory: able to climb onto the wing and into the cockpit with little or no assistance. Wheelchair-dependent patients, patients requiring in-flight medical assistance, and patients with a communicable illness do not qualify.

Who qualifies

• Ambulatory cancer patients travelling to and from treatment centres on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
• Children with non-communicable illnesses, accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Individuals with other non-communicable medical conditions requiring travel in the service area; enquiries welcomed.
• Free of communicable illness and not requiring in-flight medical assistance.
• Soft, duffel-style luggage. Walkers and strollers generally cannot be accommodated.

How to apply

1. Open a patient transit request at angelflight.ca.
2. Provide your full legal name, telephone contact, and the date, time, and hospital facility for your specialist appointment.
3. Have your treating oncologist or general practitioner confirm in writing that you are clinically stable to travel in a small, unpressurized aircraft and that you meet the ambulatory requirements.
4. Submit the request as early as possible to allow for volunteer pilot scheduling.
5. Once a pilot is assigned, coordinate directly with them. Final flight confirmation depends on local weather, weight limits, and airport boarding times.

Hope Air

Hope Air is a national charity providing free commercial airline flights, ground transportation vouchers, and accommodation support for patients in financial need who must travel for specialist medical care.

Lead time is a minimum of two business days, with earlier submission strongly recommended. The two-business-day minimum is an absolute floor, not a target.

Who qualifies

• Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a confirmed specialist appointment.
• BC resident enrolled in MSP, accessing an MSP-insured service.
• Demonstrated financial need, assessed relative to household income and family size.
• Able to travel on regular commercial flights without requiring assistance beyond what airlines normally provide.

How to apply

1. Apply online at hopeair.ca, or call the client care line at 1-877-346-4673. Hours are Monday to Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pacific.
2. Document your household income and the number of dependants residing in the household.
3. Upload a clear digital copy of the formal appointment confirmation letter from your receiving specialist or facility.
4. Submit the application at least two business days before your travel date. Earlier submission is strongly recommended.
5. Review the finalized itinerary sent on approval. It contains your electronic commercial airline tickets and ground transportation vouchers.

BC Family Residence Program

This provincial program, administered by Variety, The Children’s Charity of BC on behalf of the Government of British Columbia, provides subsidized accommodation in Vancouver for families whose child is receiving specialist medical care at an eligible facility.

Program criteria can change. Confirm current eligibility with Variety before making accommodation arrangements.

Who qualifies

• BC resident family with a child aged 18 or under, including premature babies and newborns with health concerns.
• Care received at BC Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children, BC Women’s Hospital (NICU), or BC Cancer Agency (Vancouver location).
• Family resides outside Metro Vancouver. Residents of Bowen Island and island communities within Electoral Area A qualify due to the ferry travel requirement.
• Gross annual household income under $80,000.
• One room covered for up to 21 days per medical stay. Payment is made directly to approved partner accommodation vendors; no funds are paid to patients or families.

How to apply

1. Email Variety at [email protected] to request an application form, or ask the social work department at BC Children’s Hospital to initiate a referral.
2. Complete the application documentation provided by Variety or obtained from the hospital social work department.
3. Submit verified financial documentation (a recent CRA notice of assessment, for example) to confirm household income is below the $80,000 threshold.
4. Have the attending clinical team confirm the exact dates of your child’s medical treatment or hospital admission.
5. Submit the completed form to Variety for authorization.
6. On approval, check in at one of the designated partner hotels or residences near the medical facility. Variety arranges direct billing with the approved vendor up to the maximum subsidy. Families booking outside approved vendors pay those costs themselves.

Help keep this current

Government and charity programs change frequently. If you notice an outdated phone number, altered eligibility criteria, or any other error on this page, let me know. Keeping community information accurate is a shared effort.

Sources

1. Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Health: “B.C. adds 7 coastal ferry routes to health-care travel program,” December 19, 2024. news.gov.bc.ca
2. BC Ferries: “Medical Assured Loading and Travel Assistance Program.” bcferries.com/book-sailings/medical-assured-loading
3. BC Ferries: “Accessibility.” bcferries.com/accessibility. See also: Disability Alliance BC, “Changes to BC Ferries Accessible Fare Identification Card,” June 10, 2025. disabilityalliancebc.org
4. Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Health: “Travel Assistance Program (TAP BC).” gov.bc.ca/content/health/accessing-health-care/tap-bc
5. Angel Flight of British Columbia. angelflight.ca
6. Hope Air. hopeair.ca. Telephone: 1-877-346-4673
7. Province of British Columbia: “BC Family Residence Program,” last updated March 12, 2026. Administered by Variety, The Children’s Charity of BC. variety.bc.ca/support/bc-family-residence-program