Bay Ferries releases passenger averages for The Cat's first 3 weeks

Bay Ferries has released average passenger and vehicle counts for the first three weeks of the ferry service between Yarmouth, N.S.,and Portland, Maine.

The ferry averaged 78 cars and 181 passengers per day from June 15 to June 22.

From June 23 to June 30,the daily average was 97 cars and 285 passengers.From July 1 to July 7,the averagewas106 cars and 307 passengers per day.

Approximate totals so far

Multiplying each of those dailyaverages by the number of daysand adding them all together gives a rough countof 2,142cars and 5,877passengers total for those first three weeks.

A statement from Bay Ferries says the company has also helped sell 1,200 room nights in Nova Scotia as part of the vacation packageit offers. That does not include rooms booked directly by passengers.

The company said it has also eliminated three of nine blackout dates atthe terminal in Portland, which until now would have prevented sailing on those days. The statementsays talks with the city continue regarding the other dates.

Source of debate

The companysays another update willcome in early to mid-August.

The numbers comeafter several weeks ofthe provincialProgressive Conservatives calling for the government to release the numbers. While the government has maintained it wouldn't be the one to release the numbers, monthly counts are available through the City of Portland.

Those first numbers are expected to be ready on Friday.