Island groups applaud proposed changes to ferry service

Two Island organizations are throwing their support behind a proposed federal government initiative to change ferry service in the province.

New ferries, new operators, part of proposed revamp of Maritime ferries

The Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island and the Eastern P.E.I. Chamber of Commerce (EPEICC) have responded positively to the government's plan to have ferry operators own the ferries they operate and sign long-term service contracts for routes.

The current system has the federal government own the ferries, then lease them to ferry operators.

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Both the ferry between Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S. as well as the ferry betweenSouris, P.E.I., andlesde laMadeleine, Que., would be affected.

'The ferry is of vital importance'

TIAPEIsaid they were optimistic about the proposed scheme.

"The ferry is of vital importance to travel in eastern P.E.I. as many tourism and non-tourism business rely on it," wrote RobertJourdain, the president ofTIAPEI, in a news release.

"Having a proactive plan in place would ensure that both Islanders and visitors will have reliable access to the ferry service.TIAPEIhas always lobbied for a long term solution to ferry service and we are encouraged by this recent announcement."

'Last year was a wake-up call'

TheEPEICCalso signaled their support in a press release adding they hoped the proposed system would avoid the issues the Wood Islands Ferry had last year.

"The economy of Southern Kings and Queens is reliant on the ferry service and last year was a wake-up call, highlighting the need for a stability and reliability," wrote Kier White, president of the EPEICC.

Last year one of the ferries used between the Island and Nova Scotia, Holiday Island, was in dry-dock most of the season, leaving only the Confederation to service the route in the busy July-August season.

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