Four Companies Interested in Ferry Service

NS: Four ferry companies interested in 2011 service
By Carla Allen, Transcontinental Media

Source: Yarmouth County Vanguard, March 24, 2010

[YARMOUTH, NS] — Four groups to date have expressed interest in providing ferry service from Yarmouth to New England in 2011, says the manager of Yarmouth’s port.

“That’s without us going out and seeking anyone,” said Dave Whiting, adding that some of the groups contacted him last December immediately after hearing that Bay Ferries Ltd. would not be sailing this summer because the government refused to subsidize the service.

Whiting says that people should also not exclude the possibility of Bay Ferries providing service next year with a modern monohull.

“Mark MacDonald (CEO) of Bay Ferries has been very cooperative. They are very concerned about the town and what happens here,” said Whiting.

Town representatives have met with one interested party and are communicating with another. Another company, one which Whiting doesn’t think will come to fruition, has not been able to reach its principals in time for a conversation. Another company is sending a business plan.

While negotiations are underway, movement has already begun on the divestiture of the ferry terminal to the Yarmouth and Area Industrial Commission.

Ideally, the Town of Yarmouth would like to see the ferry company selected, employ those who worked for Bay Ferries, as well as take on supplies here and designate Yarmouth as its homeport.

Whiting says there is a strong prospect from Canada and that the vessel would be comparable to the old Scotia Prince in size. Getting people to and fro fast is not the goal.

“We’re learning through the cruise industry that you make your money on board now. You don’t make your money by transporting from Point A to Point B,” said Whiting.

Although work is underway on restoring ferry service, it won’t happen overnight.

“This is a very complicated procedure and a lot of things have to fall in line and happen in parallel,” said Whiting.