Bay Ferries has decided to release the passenger numbers for the first few weeks of the 2016 Yarmouth-Portland, Maine ferry sailing season — and they’re well below the targets set by the province of Nova Scotia.
The Nova Scotia government had set a goal of having 60,000 passengers sail on the hotly contested, tourism-driven ferry this season, which means at least 500 passengers would need to ferry daily.
So far, the highest average, set last week, was 307.
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The average has been steadily climbing since the launch of the CAT.
During the ferry’s first week, June 15-22, there was an average of 181 passengers sailing in both directions with 78 vehicles.
During the period of June 23-30, there was an average of 285 passengers and 106 vehicles.
For every 10,000 passengers, Bay Ferries gets $2 million in revenue. Bay Ferries has repeatedly said they haven’t set a goal for passengers, only the government of Nova Scotia has.
Originally, Bay Ferries said they would not be releasing passenger numbers Nova Scotians, however their contract required they provide the numbers to the people of Portland in monthly reports.
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The release from Bay Ferries also says about 1,200 room nights have been booked in Nova Scotia as part of ferry trip packages offered by the company. Those bookings don’t include ones made independently of Bay Ferries packages.
Bay Ferries says they’ve also been able to work with the City of Portland to reduce the nine “black-out days” where the ferry wouldn’t be able to dock in Portland due to the port being busy to only six non-service dates. Bay Ferries says they continue to work with the municipality on the matter.
In an emailed statement, Transportation Minister Geoff MacLellan re-emphasized that the passenger numbers are only “one of the variables” that the government is using to monitor the ferry’s performance.
“We are focused on making sure the service, and our tourism industry has the best opportunity for success. Once the season has concluded, we will have a full, complete, and accurate picture of the performance for the season, which we will bring to Nova Scotians,” MacLellan said.
MacLellan added that he took a trip on the ferry last week, and boasted about his experience aboard the boat for his five-and-a-half hour crossing.
“The amenities on board were terrific, as were the staff and crew. I talked to a number of travellers on board who all said the same thing,” he said.
The minister added that the on-board cafe, SIP, employs 20 local people “who would not have jobs were it not for the ferry being in place.”
Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood said over the phone from Yarmouth that people shouldn’t dwell on the counts so early into the season, rather the final total is the more important calculation.
“What causes concern for me is that people will take these numbers and, as we seem to be able to do very well in Nova Scotia, is take something and just expound on how we believe this isn’t going to work, so we just don’t know that,” she said.
Another update from Bay Ferries is expected in early-mid August.
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