Bay Ferries eyes revised schedule

This year summer departures from Saint John were at 9 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. The ferry operator is considering changing Saint John departure times to 12:15 and 9 p.m.

Summer departures from Digby have been at 1 p.m. and 8:45 p.m. The revised schedule would see the ‘Princess of Acadia’ leaving Digby at 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Kristy Herron, president of Digby Area Board of Trade, said most responses to the proposal were positive. Retailers saw the new departure times as a way to keep people in Digby longer, she said.

Lobster fishermen and whale watch operators said Bay Ferries is finally paying attention to their concerns.

Herron says some see the proposed changes as a way to get back and forth to Saint John suppliers in a timely manner.

Richard Treleaven, owner of Coastal Inn-Kingfisher, said the 4:30 p.m. sailing from Digby would serve truckers en route to Boston well, but not tourists. He added that the schedule did not consider the trucker’s return from Boston.

Treleaven also suggested lowering rates to ensure the ferry is filled. “From a hotelier’s point of view, if I had 400 vacant seats each night, I’d drop the rate to fill them. In your case, your incremental cost is nil,” he told Bay Ferries. “One rate for car and driver, cheap for extra persons.”