NORTH SYDNEY, N.S. — The ferry service between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador can be added to the list of companies feeling the effects of COVID-19.
Marine Atlantic says it has seen a significant decrease in traffic numbers to begin its fiscal year, which includes nearly a 70 per cent decrease in passenger traffic compared to the 2019 season.
“It’s not unexpected when you look at the passenger rates because of the travel restrictions put in place by the Newfoundland and Labrador government,” said spokesperson Darrell Mercer.
“We’re going to continue to monitor, and with the uncertainty that we’re experiencing right now, it’s hard to say what passenger and commercial traffic volumes will be moving into the summer months.”
The company is seeing a decrease in all four categories of its service from April 1 to May 10.
Marine Atlantic saw its passenger number reach 6,088 compared to 19,946 during the same period of time in 2019. It’s a decrease of 69.5 per cent.
Meanwhile, the number of passenger vehicles were also down. The company had 1,675 passenger vehicles, compared to the 7,357 at the time last year, decreasing by 77.2 per cent.
Tractor-trailer numbers have also been on a decline since April 1. The company transported 3,136 tractor-trailers, not close to the 4,465 which used the service last year. It’s a decrease of 29.8 per cent.
As for drop-trailers, Marine Atlantic is reporting 4,566 to begin its fiscal year, down 16.2 per cent from the 5,451 during the same period last year.
“From a commercial perspective, we’re still seeing high volumes of produce and groceries coming into Newfoundland and Labrador, but we’re seeing a decrease in the retail side,” said Mercer.
“The shopping malls are closed, and a lot of retail stores are also closed, so that’s where we’re seeing the impacts right now from the commercial aspect.”
Earlier this month, Marine Atlantic announced the suspension of its Argentia service for the 2020 season.
Mercer told the Post the company wasn’t expecting to see significant traffic during the summer months for the service, which led to the suspension.
“Last year, there were over 30,000 passengers who used the service,” said Mercer, noting the route is considered a leisure and tourism service.
“When we made the decision to cancel this season, we had 1,500 reservations – when the Newfoundland and Labrador government introduced its travel restrictions, 20 per cent of those bookings cancelled within the first week.”
BY COMPARISON:
Marine Atlantic numbers April 1 to May 10:
Passenger:
- 2019 – 19,946
- 2020 – 6,088
*Decrease of 69.5 per cent from 2019
Passenger Vehicles:
- 2019 – 7,357
- 2020 – 1,675
*Decrease of 77.2 per cent from 2019
Tractor-trailers:
- 2019 – 4,465
- 2020 – 3,136
*Decrease of 29.8 per cent from 2019
Drop-trailers:
- 2019 – 5,451
- 2020 – 4,566
*Decrease of 16.2 per cent from 2019
Source: Marine Atlantic
Despite the change, Marine Atlantic will continue to connect the two provinces with daily crossings from North Sydney to Port aux Basques. Departures from North Sydney will be at 11:45 a.m. and 11:15 p.m. each day.
“We’re committed to the two crossings per day,” said Mercer. “The demand for the Argentia service certainly was dropping dramatically and we knew that was going to be a trend in the months ahead.”
For now, the company will continue to operate two of its four vessels. The MV Blue Puttees and MV Highlanders will remain in service for the North Sydney to Port aux Basque route.
The 19-year-old MV Leif Ericson vessel would normally be part of the company’s schedule, however, it is currently on standby and will be brought into service if demand warrants it.
The Atlantic Vision, which is the second-oldest vessel on Marine Atlantic’s fleet, is typically used for the Argentia service. Like the MV Leif Ericson, the vessel is also on standby.
Marine Atlantic has set guidelines to help flatten the Coronavirus curve. The company has limited its service to a maximum of 100 people per crossing, however, not every crossing has reached the limit.
“Some crossings there’s very little traffic,” said Mercer. “There’s other crossings where we would be getting close to the 100-passenger limit.”
Along with promoting social distance and self-isolation, Marine Atlantic has closed its restaurant and bar services as well as its retail shops on its ferries.
Mercer couldn’t confirm how many employees were affected by the changes, however, he did say there are fewer people working right now than the same period in 2019.
“Our employment numbers are based on what the demand is for our service at any given time,” said Mercer. “The numbers fluctuate every shift change.”
Mercer doesn’t anticipate much changing traffic-wise, as the summer months approach and COVID-19 remains fresh in the public eye.
“The uncertainty that we see right now in the weeks and months ahead, it’s hard to say where this is going to be headed in the short-term,” said Mercer. “We’re not expecting to see significant traffic volumes for the summer months.”
Marine Atlantic has contacted Transport Canada regarding the decrease in traffic, Mercer said.
“They understand the situation,” he said. “They’re certainly going to work with us as we move through the months ahead.”
