Ferry service between P.E.I. and N.S. to resume May 1

Ferry service between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia will resume on May 1.

The schedule for the first part of the season, May 1 — June 17 Northumberland Ferries Ltd. will run five crossings both ways.

The sailings will leave from Wood Islands, P.E.I. at 6:30 a.m., 9:30 am., 1 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and from Caribou, N.S. at 8 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6 p.m., 9 p.m.

For high season, June 29 to Sept. 4, the schedule shows nine crossings each way.

That high season schedule should be a big increase from last summer when there was only one boat running — as opposed to the usual two — and at times no service at all when the MV Confederation also needed repairs.

Don Cormier of Northumberland Ferries Ltd. said he expects everything to be back to normal this year. He said the MV Confederation will make the crossings alone until June 17, and then it will be joined by the MV Holiday Island.

"With the challenges we had last year, we are looking forward to a good season this year," he said,

Hoping for a better year

The business community in eastern P.E.I. is hoping for smooth sailing this year.

Keir White, general manager of the Belfast Community Development Corporation, said it would be "dismal to the operation," if only one ship was in operation for another summer.

"I think they need to ensure that both boats are running strong," he said.

'Barriers can be overcome'

White worries some passengers and tourism operators may still have a sour taste in their mouth after last summer, but hopes that can change.

"I think with some good customer service those types of barriers can be overcome and we can get the ferries back to the state that they were in in the good old days."

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