Latest news with #BayFerries
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Will declining ridership numbers affect the CAT Ferry's contract renewal?
The CAT Ferry is pictured in Yarmouth, N.S., on June 5, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Jonathan MacInnis) Bay Ferries has released the most recent ridership numbers for the CAT Ferry, which travels between Yarmouth, N.S., and Bar Harbor, Maine. Last month's figures show almost 13,000 reservations for this sailing season compared to over 16,500 at the same Video taken on board a little more than a week ago shows a nearly-empty ship heading to Maine. Canadians boycotting vacations to the United States in reaction to the trade war may be a reason for the drop in numbers. 'I'm actually not concerned at all with the drop in passengers because it is one way,' said Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood. Yarmouth resident Lee Corporon is retired and, to pass the time, he heads to the wharf to watch the vessel load and unload. 'I think there was 42 vehicles that just went on the boat, on the ferry, and I think two days ago when it docked, I counted 78 coming off,' he said. CATT Ferry The CAT Ferry is pictured in Yarmouth, N.S., on June 5, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Jonathan MacInnis) The province and Bay Ferries have a contract to operate the ship through next season. The province has said ridership will play a part in determining its willingness to sign a new deal. 'An economic impact study of the service is currently underway, which will inform decisions on the future of the service,' said a spokesperson for Nova Scotia's Department of Public Works in a statement to CTV News. Mood believes the drop in numbers is a blip on the radar, not a trend. 'I think they've seen that the numbers are climbing in previous years so no, not worried at all that that will be taken into consideration,' she said. 'I absolutely can't see a government shutting down an international highway to the U.S. where there's tens of millions of people.' Phillip Mooney, chair of the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association, says the bookings look good on the American side. He adds Yarmouth isn't the only entry point seeing a decline in Canadians heading south of the border. 'The crossings in Windsor, the crossings in British Columbia, the cancellations and disruptions of some of the air services going to the United States,' he said. The full picture will be clearer when Bay Ferries releases its updated passenger numbers, which is expected next week. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CBC
18-02-2025
- Business
- CBC
Company operating N.S.-P.E.I. ferry service has a new owner
Social Sharing After a turbulent year in 2024, the company that operates ferry routes between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia has a new owner. The ownership group behind Northumberland Ferries Ltd., as well as the New Brunswick-Nova Scotia service from Bay Ferries Ltd., has sold the enterprise to CEO and president Mark Wilson. The deal does not include ownership of the vessels on the runs, which belong to Transport Canada. Wilson, who grew up in South Rustico, P.E.I., but now lives in Halifax, finalized the sale last week. He has been with the companies since 2021 and took over as CEO in May. The sale to Wilson from the previous ownership group — comprised of Danny Bartlett, Don Cormier, Gerry Stevenson and the family of the late Mark MacDonald — was completed earlier this month. Wilson acknowledged that 2024 was a tough year for Northumberland Ferries, but he said customers can expect him and his team to stay committed to improving safety at a time when many longtime employees are looking to retire. "We had close to 40 new hires the year before, so that's significant," he told CBC News. "You just need to make sure that the training system that you have in place, the safety management system in place, is robust in that we're training those people properly." Wilson's first season as CEO was a challenging one, with multiple breakdowns of both MV Saareema and MV Confederation, including the latter's collision with a wharf that left it out of service for 10 straight weeks. Canada's transport minister, Anita Anand, has said she intended to order an audit of Northumberland Ferries Ltd. after the "unacceptable" numerous disruptions and delays in 2024, to ensure reliable ferry service between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia. While there have been problems at Northumberland Ferries, the company's routes on Bay Ferries between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have been much smoother, Wilson said. Bay Ferries also operates the CAT ferry on "a scenic 3.5-hour voyage between Bar Harbor, Maine, and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia" during the tourism season. Wilson said he's committed to working with the governments and community partners to better meet and exceed the expectations customers have for the service. 'Move things forward' Wilson said buying the ferry company wasn't something he initially planned. Then he learned that the previous ownership group was ready to step away after more than 20 years. "Because of the importance of the service, they also wanted to move to someone who was going to own the company that was going to be actively involved in it, to continue on those traditional routes… and, you know, [have] new energy and continue to move things forward," he said. Wilson was able to complete the sale and become the sole new owner, taking on some bank financing to complete the purchase. Looking ahead, Wilson said he and his team will "get things right" with Northumberland Ferries' operations, pointing to the upcoming introduction of MV Northumberland as a positive sign. This new vessel, acquired by Transport Canada and formerly named MV Fanafjord, is intended to provide more reliable service on the Wood Islands, P.E.I., to Caribou, N.S., route. The ferry service has experienced disruptions following the decommissioning of MV Holiday Island after a fire in 2022, compounded by issues with MV Confederation. MV Northumberland travelled from Norway in December and is currently in Pictou, N.S., where it will remain until the ferry service resumes in May. "I'm confident with the senior leadership team here that we can continue down a very good trajectory looking forward to 2025," Wilson said.
