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Yarmouth ferry company boss says success will take time

The Nova Star ferry dwarfs the city of Portland's fire boat as it prepares to leave Portland, Maine, May 15, 2014.
The Nova Star ferry dwarfs the city of Portland's fire boat as it prepares to leave Portland, Maine, May 15, 2014. Robert F. Bukaty/The Canadian Press/AP

HALIFAX – The company that runs a ferry linking Nova Scotia with Maine says rebuilding a successful service won’t happen overnight.

Nova Star Cruises CEO Mark Amundsen says the company is buoyed by the number of bookings last month, though it plans to end its first sailing season early because of a lack of passengers and bus tours.

About 20,000 passengers boarded the ferry last month, which met the company’s target.

But in July, only 13,000 people used the service, about 7,000 fewer than expected.

Amundsen says the company hopes to reach about 25,000 passengers per month next season.

He also says 31 bus tours are already planned for next year, while only 23 tours were booked for the current season.

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The last sailing date was originally scheduled for Nov. 2, but the final trip will now end Oct. 14.

About 650 passengers who’ve booked tickets will be refunded and offered a free reservation for this season or a discount for next year.

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