Will declining ridership numbers affect the CAT Ferry's contract renewal?

CTV News

06-06-2025

The CAT Ferry is pictured in Yarmouth, N.S., on June 5, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Jonathan MacInnis)
Bay Ferries has released the most recent ridership numbers for the CAT Ferry, which travels between Yarmouth, N.S., and Bar Harbor, Maine.
Last month's figures show almost 13,000 reservations for this sailing season compared to over 16,500 at the same
Video taken on board a little more than a week ago shows a nearly-empty ship heading to Maine. Canadians boycotting vacations to the United States in reaction to the trade war may be a reason for the drop in numbers.
'I'm actually not concerned at all with the drop in passengers because it is one way,' said Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood.
Yarmouth resident Lee Corporon is retired and, to pass the time, he heads to the wharf to watch the vessel load and unload.
'I think there was 42 vehicles that just went on the boat, on the ferry, and I think two days ago when it docked, I counted 78 coming off,' he said.
CATT Ferry
The CAT Ferry is pictured in Yarmouth, N.S., on June 5, 2025. (CTV Atlantic / Jonathan MacInnis)
The province and Bay Ferries have a contract to operate the ship through next season. The province has said ridership will play a part in determining its willingness to sign a new deal.
'An economic impact study of the service is currently underway, which will inform decisions on the future of the service,' said a spokesperson for Nova Scotia's Department of Public Works in a statement to CTV News.
Mood believes the drop in numbers is a blip on the radar, not a trend.
'I think they've seen that the numbers are climbing in previous years so no, not worried at all that that will be taken into consideration,' she said.
'I absolutely can't see a government shutting down an international highway to the U.S. where there's tens of millions of people.'
Phillip Mooney, chair of the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association, says the bookings look good on the American side. He adds Yarmouth isn't the only entry point seeing a decline in Canadians heading south of the border.
'The crossings in Windsor, the crossings in British Columbia, the cancellations and disruptions of some of the air services going to the United States,' he said.
The full picture will be clearer when Bay Ferries releases its updated passenger numbers, which is expected next week.
For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page