Cheaper New Year for Regular Ferry Users

Daily commuters on Nova Scotia's ferries will save $100 when they purchase annual passenger vehicle passes, beginning Jan. 1, 2007.

"Ferries are a crucial link in the province's transportation network and a part of many Nova Scotians' daily lives," said Angus MacIsaac, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "The new rate structure reflects the needs of those ferry users, while, at the same time, keeping ferries viable and sustainable."

The new fare structure will provide relief to passengers and commercial vehicles that use the ferry service regularly by encouraging the purchase of annual passes. Passes increase efficiency, reducing the transactions and wait times in ferry lineups. Currently, 13.9 per cent of ferry users buy annual passes, while 57.6 per cent purchase books of tickets. There is no rate change for the books.

The cost of passenger vehicle passes is being reduced to $150 per year from $250. As well, small businesses with commercial fleets of less than 10 vehicles will see the cost of the first vehicle pass reduced to $600 from $1,000 -- $400 saving.

This is the first significant ferry rate change since 2002, when rates were increased to strike a balance between operating costs and ferry revenues.

Ads will run in newspapers about the new fare structure. Fare information is also available on the department website at www.gov.ns.ca/tran .

The department conducted a customer satisfaction survey in 2005 and found that 88 per cent of the respondents were satisfied with provincial ferry services. The department operates four cable ferries, which are located in LaHave, Country Harbour, Little Narrows and Englishtown. It has three ocean-going ferries, two at Digby Neck, at Petit Passage and Grand Passage, and one on Tancoock Island.