Nova Scotia to continue supporting Bay Ferries during this pandemic

The Nova Scotia government says there are challenges ahead for the heavily subsidized ferry service that links the province with the US state of Maine.  

The Bay Ferries service has been plagued with issues that saw the CAT ferry sit idle for the entire 2019 season due to upgrades at the US terminal.

With a start date scheduled to begin in June, Minister of Transportion and Infrastructure Lloyd Hines admits the COVID-19 pandemic crisis could limit service but he says the government will continue to support Bay Ferries during these challenging times.

“It's extremely important to our communities, so they must be assured that the service resumes in a way that is protective, and these communities are ready to welcome visitors,” explains Hines.

Hines acknowledges the possibility the pandemic will impact this year's sailings.

“From our perspective, we will be relying on the public health officials in Nova Scotia, our federal folks since this is an international ferry, and of course our partners in Maine to let us know when it is safe to resume the service,” says Hines. “And of course when we get the all clear, Bay Ferries will be ready to go.”

The high-speed ferry cost taxpayers an extra $4 million last year as it sat idle bringing the total cost to the province to $17.8 million.

Hines says “this government believes in the ferry and we will continue to support it, obviously this pandemic has, and is going to make it very challenging once again for the ferry service.”