NSNDP

July 8th, 2019

Cat ferry future unclear, Bay Ferries should be held responsible

Halifax -- The NDP is calling on the McNeil government to announce what penalties will be imposed under its contract with Bay Ferries for non-provision of services.

“The McNeil Liberals’ work on this file is a mess,” said Susan Leblanc, NDP Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal spokesperson. “There are no ferry crossings, and no assurances that tickets that are bought today, for ferry travel after July 19, will in fact be honoured.”

Bay Ferries had to cancel and refund tickets for passengers up to and including July 18. The entire season is threatened if Bay Ferries can’t get approval from US border security for landing in Bar Harbor.

“We have businesses in Yarmouth that don’t know if their visitors will be able to get here, and visitors who don’t know if Bay Ferries will be able to honour the tickets that it’s booking,” said NDP Leader Gary Burrill. “There should be fines or penalties for Bay Ferries for its failure to provide the service.”

The Liberal government is spending $8.5 million to renovate the ferry terminal in Bar Harbor.

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