Gagetown ferry only licensed for 4 months
The Gagetown ferry resumed service earlier this week after undergoing an estimated $100,000 in repairs, but only for four months, according to its inspection certificate from Transport Canada.
The free cable ferry, which crosses the St. John River between Gagetown and Lower Jemseg, is no longer allowed to operate during the winter.
"Vessel shall not operate in ice," is among the terms and conditions listed.
In addition, the certificate, issued on July 27, expires on Nov. 30.
"Certificate short-termed pending strategic review of operations by (New Brunswick Department of Transportation," it states.
Still, area residents are optimistic about the ferry's long-term future, according to Wilf Hiscock, who has been serving as their spokesman and working with the provincial government's strategic review committee on the issue.
He says residents are thrilled to have the ferry back five months after it was deemed unseaworthy, and are willing to accept the loss of winter service, as well as the schedule being reduced from 24 hours to 6 a.m. until midnight.
12-passenger limit upsets residents
But their primary concern right now is the new 12-passenger limit, which also affects the number of vehicles that can cross.
Hiscock contends the long-standing 12-vehicle restriction makes sense, given the weight capacity of the vessel, but he argues that a few extra bodies shouldn't matter.
"You know, families travel three or four in some vehicles, and if there's four people in three vehicles, we've already reached the [new 12-passenger] limit, that means it's got to cross with three vehicles," he said.
"There will be a lot of people left on shore, especially on weekends," and during special events, such as fairs.
And while the ferry crossing only takes about five minutes, Hiscock says the lineups during peak times can be "a mile long" on both sides of the river.
He plans to lobby the provincial government to seek an increase from Transport Canada in the maximum number of passengers, he said.
"We're working on a long-term plan for this ferry — what can we expect next year. That's what we're working on."
Hiscock says the ferry provides a "vital link" for residents, who otherwise have to drive about 70 kilometres round-trip to get to everything from medical appointments to church services.
It's also crucial to the village itself, which relies on tourism, said Hiscock
He estimates local businesses have already seen a 30 per cent drop in the five months the ferry was down. "Restaurants, the convenience store — everybody is suffering."
The ferry is also crucial to the farming community, he said, noting tractors can't travel the highway with a load of hay, for example, because the shoulders aren't wide enough. "It's just not safe."
