More than 7,000 BC Ferry workers and their families get a free ride on the ferry system courtesy of passes handed out by the company.
Documents released under a freedom of information request have revealed there are just over 4,200 employee passes in circulation, allowing unlimited travel for a vehicle, driver and passenger.
There are also 3,200 spousal and family passes, each of them allowing 24, one way trips for a vehicle and driver a year.
BC Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall says the passes are 100 per cent taxable and are given out in recognition of the employee's contribution to the company.
But Scott Hennig of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says taxpayers are already subsidizing BC Ferries and this free ride needs to end.
NDP Transportation critic Harry Bains says the passes don't seem right when rates keep going up and BC Ferries' executives make top dollar.