Travellers taking a Nova Scotia intra-provincial ferryboat will no longer have to pay for it, according to Premier Iain Rankin who announced the decision on Saturday, June 19.
In a release, the NS province revealed it would permanently remove fees from intra-provincial ferries “to help make transportation more affordable and accessible for Nova Scotians.”
In the release, Rankin said:
“Our seven ferry services are an integral part of the provincial transportation network and pick up where the highway leaves off.
“The permanent elimination of ferry fees will reduce the financial burden on local residents and visitors.”
The announcement follows a series of other government announcements that could signal a potential provincial election call during the summer months.
Ferry fees, ranging from US$7 (for cars and light trucks) to US$10 (for commercial trucks) were suspended in March 2022 in the early days of the COVID crisis.
Prior to 2020, ferries were collecting ~US$1,3 million from passengers per year. The operating cost for the provincial ferries is ~US$10,7 annually.
The provincial ferries operate on a daily basis year-round and most provide 24-hour service, the release said. Typically, they carry ~1 million passengers a year.