Nova Star ferry: CBC rides with transportation minister
Geoff MacLellan is meeting Maine politicians about ferry service
Since the Nova Star set sail on its maiden voyage between Yarmouth and Maine last year, everything from low ridership to high fares to government bailouts has mired the ferry in controversy.
CBC has talked to the mayor of Yarmouth and local businesses several times about the need for a ferry service to Maine in order to preserve the small town's livelihood. We were aboard the ship for the initial tour, but a CBC crew hasn't taken a ride until now.
When Minister of Transportation Geoff MacLellan announced he was taking the Nova Star to meet with politicians in Maine, we thought it's the perfect opportunity to follow.
MacLellan recently made it clear this ferry service is on a very thin line.
Nova Scotia committed another $13 million to keeping the Nova Star afloat this year, on top of the millions taxpayers have already funded.
MacLellan has said he will make a decision by July or August on whether Nova Star Cruises can continue under the current operator the ferry service between Yarmouth and Portland.
During his trip, the minister will be meeting with Michael Brennan, mayor of Portland, and Maine Governor Paul LePage.
The goal of MacLellan's trip is to find "common areas" with Maine. The state has already made it clear funding is not an option. MacLellan says they will talk about marketing and cost efficiencies such as docking fees.
LePage has promised to contribute in the past; however, that hasn't happened yet.
In a statement to CBC, LePage's press secretary Adrienne Bennett writes, "FAME (Financial Authority of Maine) has aggressively pursued financing options for Nova Star. The primary tool for this is a loan guarantee, which requires the participation of a private financial institution. As it turned out, no new legislation was needed in order for FAME to participate."
"The State of Maine has included the Nova Star experience in the state's official Tourism Marketing efforts. Maine has invested well over $20 million in infrastructure to make a Yarmouth, Nova Scotia to Portland, Maine ferry service a reality. The market will ultimately determine future success," writes Bennett.
CBC will get a first-hand experience Wednesday of how the ferry operates, how many people are on board and what passengers are saying.
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