Disrupted ferry service in eastern P.E.I. during one tourism season has created wounds that will take much longer to heal, operators and business owners told provincial MLAs here Thursday night.
About 75 individuals attended the Standing Committee on Education and Economic Development’s meeting at the Wood Islands Welcome Centre regarding this year’s disruptions to the Northumberland Ferries Ltd. (NFL) service.
The meeting saw business leaders and residents describe the disruption’s impact in the region, with many reporting a major loss in profits for the season.
Keir White, general manager of the Belfast Community Development Corporation, said the Lord Selkirk Campground saw overnight stays from off-Island visitors drop from 784 last year to 244 this year.
That’s a difference of more than $17,000.
“One might say ‘well, that’s not all allotted to the ferry,’ and that’s perhaps true. However, I believe it’s the largest factor,” said White, who also described other factors such as increased costs for trucking in supplies to Belfast Highland Greens. “It’s been a very disappointing year having to watch the decline of the service.”
The ferry service has been operating with one ferry, MV Confederation, all summer after it was announced at the beginning of the season the MV Holiday Island needed major repairs.
It resulted in long wait times and uncertainty for many who took the ferry, as well as a traffic decline of 22 per cent in the month of August from last year.
Although the boat is scheduled to return this fall, many who spoke at the meeting expressed concern for the future.
Jamie Richards spoke on behalf of the Eastern P.E.I. Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 200 businesses in the area.
A survey given to chamber members saw more than 80 per cent respond that the service disruption has “heavily impacted their businesses and communities.”
Richards quoted one operator describing losing more than $90,000 this year due to the decreased traffic.
“And that’s just one business,” said Richards. “To have one ferry running during the tourism season doesn’t say much of government and their concerns for businesses in the eastern part of the Island.”
Scott Annear, general manager of Morley Annear Ltd. trucking company, also called for government to improve the service, rather than just maintain it.
He also questioned why there wasn’t a back-up plan for when the Holiday Island needed repairs.
“We’ve got to make this better, not just maintain it. Northumberland Ferries says it’s the (fault of the) federal government and the federal government says it’s Northumberland Ferries. I think we all need to get to one table together.”
Although the night didn’t see any official representation from NFL, longtime employee Bob Langille spoke to the committee.
Only representing himself, Langille spoke of the toll the disrupted service has had even on ferry employees.
He expressed the complaints he had heard first-hand through the season while working customer service at the Caribou, N.S., terminal.
Langille said although the ferry service has learned “valuable lessons” this year, it’s also time to look towards improving the service for the future.
Although the Holiday Island will soon be returning, Langille noted it’s still a 44-year-old vessel.
“A one-boat operation is not a service, it’s not an option during the busy time of the year and it’s essential this is acted upon while memories are fresh,” said Langille. “This is the time to stop looking backwards and start looking ahead . . . the Confederation still has time left to serve but the Holiday Island replacement discussion hast to start.”
Twitter.com/Mitch_PEI
Disrupted ferry service in eastern P.E.I. during one tourism season has created wounds that will take much longer to heal, operators and business owners told provincial MLAs here Thursday night.
About 75 individuals attended the Standing Committee on Education and Economic Development’s meeting at the Wood Islands Welcome Centre regarding this year’s disruptions to the Northumberland Ferries Ltd. (NFL) service.
The meeting saw business leaders and residents describe the disruption’s impact in the region, with many reporting a major loss in profits for the season.
Keir White, general manager of the Belfast Community Development Corporation, said the Lord Selkirk Campground saw overnight stays from off-Island visitors drop from 784 last year to 244 this year.
That’s a difference of more than $17,000.
“One might say ‘well, that’s not all allotted to the ferry,’ and that’s perhaps true. However, I believe it’s the largest factor,” said White, who also described other factors such as increased costs for trucking in supplies to Belfast Highland Greens. “It’s been a very disappointing year having to watch the decline of the service.”
The ferry service has been operating with one ferry, MV Confederation, all summer after it was announced at the beginning of the season the MV Holiday Island needed major repairs.
It resulted in long wait times and uncertainty for many who took the ferry, as well as a traffic decline of 22 per cent in the month of August from last year.
Although the boat is scheduled to return this fall, many who spoke at the meeting expressed concern for the future.
Jamie Richards spoke on behalf of the Eastern P.E.I. Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 200 businesses in the area.
A survey given to chamber members saw more than 80 per cent respond that the service disruption has “heavily impacted their businesses and communities.”
Richards quoted one operator describing losing more than $90,000 this year due to the decreased traffic.
“And that’s just one business,” said Richards. “To have one ferry running during the tourism season doesn’t say much of government and their concerns for businesses in the eastern part of the Island.”
Scott Annear, general manager of Morley Annear Ltd. trucking company, also called for government to improve the service, rather than just maintain it.
He also questioned why there wasn’t a back-up plan for when the Holiday Island needed repairs.
“We’ve got to make this better, not just maintain it. Northumberland Ferries says it’s the (fault of the) federal government and the federal government says it’s Northumberland Ferries. I think we all need to get to one table together.”
Although the night didn’t see any official representation from NFL, longtime employee Bob Langille spoke to the committee.
Only representing himself, Langille spoke of the toll the disrupted service has had even on ferry employees.
He expressed the complaints he had heard first-hand through the season while working customer service at the Caribou, N.S., terminal.
Langille said although the ferry service has learned “valuable lessons” this year, it’s also time to look towards improving the service for the future.
Although the Holiday Island will soon be returning, Langille noted it’s still a 44-year-old vessel.
“A one-boat operation is not a service, it’s not an option during the busy time of the year and it’s essential this is acted upon while memories are fresh,” said Langille. “This is the time to stop looking backwards and start looking ahead . . . the Confederation still has time left to serve but the Holiday Island replacement discussion hast to start.”
Twitter.com/Mitch_PEI
