Portland council voting no upfront cash for CAT ferry

"I can't believe premier McNeil can sleep at night."

The Portland City Council is set to vote Monday on the lease agreement for the new ferry CAT ferry to Yarmouth, expected to bring $150,000 (USD) or more in revenue to the city each year with no up-front cost to taxpayers, according to Maine media reports.

REVISED: The deal with Bay Ferries Ltd. establishes the ferry’s operating season, arrival and departure times, fees and other financial responsibilities, and stipulates that all costs associated with modifying or renovating the ferry ramp and terminal building would be the responsibility of Bay Ferries.

The terminal and renovations - and other costs associated with a Portland berthing - are expected to come from the $32 million committed to Bay Ferries this year by the Nova Scotia government in a 10-year deal which could exceed $100 million in subsidies for the ferry. Additional funds to Portland from Bay Ferries are expected by Portland officials to be $1.9 million (CAD) over the term of the Bay Ferries agreement with the Nova Scotia government. 

Portland officials say the $150,000 ($190,000 CAD) estimate is “very conservative” because much of the city’s revenue will come from passenger and vehicle fees, and it is uncertain how many passengers and vehicles will use the ferry.

The agreement with Bay Ferries establishes sailing times arriving and departing from Portland. Published fares will cost adult passengers $107 one way, and $194 round trip. Car rates are $199 one way and $275 round trip.

The lease deal also requires Bay Ferries to honor nine “blackout dates” in August and September on which the ferry service cannot operate because of anticipated high cruise ship traffic in Portland Harbor. Blackout dates weren’t necessary for the Nova Star because it arrived and departed in the mornings.

"This deal keeps getting worse", PC leader Jaimie Baillie told SCT. "I would never let none councilors in Portland dictate what dates the ferry to Nova Scotia can operate or whether trucks exporting Nova Scotia products can use the ferry." The deal is a bad one for taxpayers, he added. "This deal will cost a minimum of $100 million," he said, "plus now we have to add all of the millions in potential revenue It will cost Nova Scotia businesses during the nine blackout days."

"Again, the government got hosed on this deal," Baillie added. "I can't believe premier McNeil can sleep at night.

Queens-Shelburne MLA Sterling Belliveau is also disturbed by the prospect of important blackout dates. In an email to SCT, Belliveau said, "The more we learn about this deal, the more it becomes apparent that the McNeil government did not do their homework. This latest revelation about blackout dates in August and September is cause for serious concern. "

The agreement prohibits tractor-trailer vehicles from using the ferry, which some Nova Scotia businesses, especially trucking firms hauling fish products to New England and beyond. Portland officials were reportedly concerned that tractor-trailers would line up on Commercial Street and cause traffic jams while waiting to board the ferry.