The CEO of Bay Ferries is pleased with July’s passenger numbers for the Cat ferry.
Mark MacDonald says 13, 313 passengers sailed on the Cat between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine, an increase of about 12 per cent over the same period last year.
In June, 6,723 passengers traveled over a three-week period from the time the season started on June 8.
MacDonald says the season got off to a strong, but not a roaring start.
“But as we look out over the year and look at the sales we’ve made as of right now, we see a pretty strong trend for the overall year.”
Meanwhile he says Bay Ferries is pleased that Bar Harbor town council will consider a proposal from the company.
Bay Ferries wants to sail to and from Bar Harbor, instead of Portland, as early as June of next year.
MacDonald says they a have a good relationship with Portland, but there’s an intense pressure for waterfront property.
He says they’re aware of plans to reduce the footprint of the Portland ferry terminal.
” In a significant way and reduction of the footprint of the ferry terminal, in turn, would make it very difficult for us to operate in the way that we do and on the schedule that we do right now.”
MacDonald also says it’s a shorter distance to Bar Harbor which would reduce fuel consumption.
The town council will strike a committee to continue negotiations.
(Acadia News photo)