Yarmouth mayor says ferry service going through growing pains
Posted Oct 15, 2014 09:51:46 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The province is putting up another $5-million for the Nova Star ferry from Yarmouth to Portland, Maine.
Nova Scotia’s tourism minister Michel Samson made the announcement on the last day of the vessel’s shortened season.
The money is to cover costs for fuel, crew and insurance incurred over the summer and brings the total to $26-million, the province is banking on a line of credit from Maine to cover winter costs.
Yarmouth’s mayor, Pam Mood said these growing pains are a result of the service being halted in the first place.
“You just can’t reinstate a business like this and expect everything to be roses and sunshine the first year,” said Mood.
Esther Dares owns a bed and breakfast in the town with a view of the Nova Star ferry and agreed it will take time to rebuild a following for the ferry.
“We’ve had to do a lot of mending to reconnect with people to remind them Nova Scotia is just a boat ride away,” she said.
According to the government, the ferry has brought in $13-million from tourists.
Conservative leader Jamie Baillie said he wants to see the service succeed, but throwing money at it isn’t the answer.
“We’ve got to get out of these announcing a cheque every 6-months, or every season scenarios,” said Baillie.
Baillie said he would like plan form the province on how to make the ferry sustainable for the long term.
