Challenges Ahead For Any Operator Of New Yarmouth Ferry Service

Two companies have submitted proposals to set up and run a ferry service between Yarmouth and Maine. When the call for proposals closed yesterday, the province says proposals had been received from "Quest Navigation Incorporated" and "Maritime Applied Physics Corporation".  Yarmouth MLA Zach Churchill says he's concerned about the lack of information on the two companies. However, he says no matter who starts up the service again, they're going to be dealing with some big challenges. Churchill says: "the NDP government cut the subsidy three years ago, cut the service. They cut our ties to that market in New England and now we are really building from scratch which is totally too bad. However, we are where we are so we just have to move forward." The proposals will be evaluated with a decision expected by the end of February. The province has promised to provide up to $21 million over seven years to help kick-start the ferry service that ended in 2009.