Just days after the contract ended for the CAT ferry, the provincial government and Bay Ferries Ltd. have signed an extension to keep it going.
The new contract runs through 2027 on the typical schedule of travelling from Yarmouth, N.S., to Bar Harbour, Maine, from May to October.
The government says they are still working with Bay Ferries Ltd. to “secure a sustainable, long-term future for the service,” according to a news release.
Public Works Minister Fred Tilley called the extension “a success under difficult circumstances.”
“We know our job is not done, and we will continue to pursue options that will give the people and businesses that depend on the ferry service the certainty they deserve.”
Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood says it is good news.
“We’re thrilled to see the extension for the year with the understanding that the province and Bay Ferries are looking at long-term service,” says Mood in an interview with Aadia News.
Mood explains how much a long-term deal would benefit businesses.
“They can’t get a long-term loan if there’s not a long-term service. These are their clients that are coming across,” says Mood.
She says she’s optimistic a longer deal will eventually be established considering the numbers that prove the service is growing.
About 44,000 passengers used the ferry during the 2026 season, an increase of about 10 per cent compared to the year before, according to the province.
And the majority of those passengers—85 per cent—are from the United States.
The province says the ferry’s benefit extends to communities across the province, and it means more money for local businesses, more jobs, and more overall financial benefits.
A 2026 study showed people who travel on the ferry tend to stay longer and spend more money than average visitors, the government says.
The President and CEO of Bay Ferries Ltd., Mark Wilson, says that 10 per cent growth in travellers is a testament to the hard work of the people who work on the ship and at the terminal.
“We are already looking forward to the 2027 season,” wrote Wilson in the release.
