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15-minute ferry service to be delayed this spring

A delay to the return of 15-minute Glenora Ferry service this spring – and possibly into the summer – has Prince Edward County Mayor Robert Quaiff calling on the province.

Quaiff is calling for a meeting with Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation, to discuss the inconvenience and negative impact of the loss of ferry service between Prince Edward County and Adolphustown.

The Ministry of Transportation told the County ferry service will remain on a 30-minute schedule until at least the end of June, and possibly into July. The Glenora ferry service typically accommodates 25,000 – 30,000 vehicles per month in May and June, and 40,000 vehicles per month in July and August.

A similar delay last year disrupted service until late July.

Service typically increases to a double vessel, 15-minute service during spring weekends and seven days a week in the summer. This year, MTO ferries in the area are being relocated to accommodate a ferry maintenance schedule. As a result, the MV Quinte Loyalist – which typically acts as Glenora’s second vessel, will not be available until repairs are complete.

“This reduction in service will create a significant and negative impact on visitation to the County this spring and summer,” Quaiff said. “Limiting access to one of the four entry ways to our County will undoubtedly reduce interest in visiting and staying as well as provide a negative experience for those who do visit.”

Quaiff also wants the Del Duca to discuss compensation for further use of overused and underfunded highways.

“Recommending that tourists and commuters redirect their routes to Highway 49, 62 or County Road 33 will place additional and unsustainable pressure on these County roads that are already overused and underfunded as a result of seasonal traffic increase – much of which is headed to Sandbanks Provincial Park,” said Quaiff. “In echoing my recent conversations with the Honourable Bill Mauro, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, I must ask what the province can do to help share the cost of upkeep associated with the impact provincial operations have on our municipal infrastructure.”

The MTO states the ferry service disruption is a result of mandatory maintenance requirements, and is not a permanent reduction in service. The MTO owns and operates the Glenora/Adolphustown ferry service. When any one of the five MTO vessels is taken out of service, there is a need to shift the placement of the vessels to ensure that all MTO ferry crossings are serviced.

“We appreciate that this is an inconvenience for those who are travelling to and from The County, and are hopeful that normal service will be restored as soon as possible,” added Quaiff. “I would like to thank all users of the Glenora ferry service for their patience, and encourage travelers to plan ahead to avoid the inconvenience of any potential delays.”

Patrons of the Glenora Ferry Service are also reminded that the Glenora Ferries were designated smoke free as of March 16, 2015.

Filed Under: Local News

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  1. Dutchy says:

    Yes because the County is the only one inconvenienced by this. What about the two true islands that only have one or two ways to access them?

    Maybe the drydocks are full over the winter servicing ships that keep all of Ontario, and the great lake states economies running. I know there are 5-6 lakers still in Hamilton for winter lay-up work.

    A 33 car ferry or a laker that carries 20,000 tonnes of grain, or cement? I think I know what will get priority in winter.

  2. Snowman says:

    The issue is a 5 year refit of the Wolfe Islander,as I understand.This causes a shift of the Amherst Island Ferry
    (Frontenac) to Wolfe Island and then a shift of one of the Glenora boats to Amherst Island.
    So this has been a “known” for 5 years. Last year it was the Amherst ferry’s 5 year refit.
    The MTO could send the larger boats to dry dock in Hamilton earlyn in the fall and return them late december or at ice break up in the spring.
    This year, with thick ice, the shifting of the ferrys may be delayed unless the federally owned ice breaker at Kingston gets a good channel made.
    Either way with 4 boats and a 5 year major maintance for them….. do the math . At least 2 out of 5 years the larger ferrys will be out of service for extended times, leaving Glenora one boat short at the beginning of Tourist season 40% of the time.
    ,

  3. kawartha dave says:

    Typical government department at work. Always wait until something is really needed then do repairs and maintenance. They have no clue when it comes to what actually goes on in the real world. These ferries are an important part of the economy in PEC and should be ready to go into spring/summer mode by the end of May at the latest. Ontario bureaucrats at their overpaid finest.

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