BC Ferries has reversed its controversial decision not to refund expired assured loading passes.

According to a press release, customers who purchased assured loading tickets between 1984 and July 25, 2011 will have 90 days to claim a one-time refund for expired tickets or current tickets they no longer want. The offer ends Oct. 24, 2011.

"The reason why we are going to offer time-limited refunds for assured loading is to clarify any confusion about this particular product once and for all," says David L. Hahn, BC Ferries' President and CEO in the release.

BC Ferries was previously facing legal action as well as widespread public backlash as a result of its earlier decision not to refund approximately 15,765 expired assured loading tickets.

According to the Vancouver Sun, a March Angus Reid poll "90 per cent of respondents saying BC Ferries should honour the tickets, and 71 per cent saying that control of ferries should be handed back to the B.C. government."

Ten assured loading passes currently cost $1,250 and provide priority travel between Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay, Tsawwassen-Duke Point and Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay. The passes cannot be purchased individually.

"From now on, all customers must register their cards online, and read and agree to the terms and conditions of the product before they can purchase it, so everyone will clearly acknowledge the tickets have a two-year expiry and are non-refundable," says Hahn in the release.  

While the value of expired tickets will not be refundable, they can be used toward purchasing a new set of tickets for six months after the expiry date.

Ainslie Cruickshank is completing a practicum at The Tyee