Ferry known as "the cat" discontinues its lease.. (Portland: home, employment) - Maine (ME) - City-Data Forum

flycessna · 03-21-2011, 11:46 AM

I love transportation and am saddened that this ferry can not operate profitably..

According to the SJ Canada has stopped a subsidy that had been given to the canadian company operating the cat..

Cutting the time almost in half when compared to standard ferry service I wonder of everyone could have been better served having the Cat provide transportation from Portland streight to halifax?? A longer and more expensive trip but at least when you stepped off the boat there would be something to do... on both sides..

People that I know who have taking the cat over to yarmouth consistantly tell me there isn't a whole lot to see there..

Northern Maine Land Man · 03-21-2011, 12:38 PM

That trip never made a profit. When Canada stopped subsidizing the ferry it was promptly sold to Red China. They have lots of money. I expect the ship will be dismantled and replicated for military use. It's a fast ship and would be ideal for launching the Shkvaal.

Kristin85 · 03-21-2011, 12:46 PM

The first time I ever tried to ride the CAT departures were being drastically cut and all of the remaining spots on those trips were filled. Go figure. :/ It certainly seems like there was no issue with demand when trips were limited in the ship's final months.

Imo the CAT doesn't make sense as a Canadian travel service. Unless the ship commutes to at least 1 well developed city where employment is abundant, it probably would never be profitable. Trips from Maine down to Boston would likely be profitable, but as long as the Downeaster is in service that won't happen.

Maineah · 03-21-2011, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flycessna

I love transportation and am saddened that this ferry can not operate profitably..

According to the SJ Canada has stopped a subsidy that had been given to the canadian company operating the cat..

Cutting the time almost in half when compared to standard ferry service I wonder of everyone could have been better served having the Cat provide transportation from Portland streight to halifax?? A longer and more expensive trip but at least when you stepped off the boat there would be something to do... on both sides..

People that I know who have taking the cat over to yarmouth consistantly tell me there isn't a whole lot to see there..

When the Scotia Prince ran between Portland and Yarmouth it was an overnight mini cruise and was kind of fun. I never went but my wife went and liked it. We took The Cat from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, NS. It was fast but very much like any commercial ferry, loud, shaky, and smelly. It wasn't anything to write home about. We never saw much of Nova Scotia for the three days we were there as it was enveloped in pea soup thick fog. I got a ticket for speeding because I failed to correct my speedometer when I put on oversized tires and didn't make the proper calculation for the conversion to KPH from MPH. A whopping $55.00 fine for six KPH over. You would NEVER be pulled over in the US for six over in a 65 mph zone. Not much to do up there I guess.

Northern Maine Land Man · 03-21-2011, 01:16 PM

Maybe it was the 6 KPH over in a 65 MPH zone "pea soup thick fog".

Scares me and I'm fearless.

flycessna · 03-21-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maineah

When the Scotia Prince ran between Portland and Yarmouth it was an overnight mini cruise and was kind of fun. I never went but my wife went and liked it. We took The Cat from Bar Harbor to Yarmouth, NS. It was fast but very much like any commercial ferry, loud, shaky, and smelly. It wasn't anything to write home about. We never saw much of Nova Scotia for the three days we were there as it was enveloped in pea soup thick fog. I got a ticket for speeding because I failed to correct my speedometer when I put on oversized tires and didn't make the proper calculation for the conversion to KPH from MPH. A whopping $55.00 fine for six KPH over. You would NEVER be pulled over in the US for six over in a 65 mph zone. Not much to do up there I guess.

Was that when $55 canadian was $20 american....?

6 over does sound extremely unreasonable.... maybe they thought you were from Quebec...

Maineah · 03-21-2011, 03:47 PM

It was $55.00 American which was $100 Canadian at the time. Our money was worth almost twice what theirs was worth. Those days are long gone.

roadrat · 03-21-2011, 05:20 PM

The old Scotia-Prince was better IMO, 12 hours there 12 back. It gave you time to have some fun in the casino and lounges. I used to take the overnight run(no getting off in Canada) as a booze and gambling night with a bunch of friends, we always had alot of fun.

Yea the CAT was fast, but sometimes getting there is half the fun.

bill

dmyankee · 03-21-2011, 06:48 PM

Canada is cutting back on its subsidies.

Look for the highly unprofitable Down Easter to go under once the taxpayers refuse to continue subsidizing a trip to the Fenway with the grandkids!

Cornerguy1 · 03-21-2011, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flycessna

Was that when $55 canadian was $20 american....?

6 over does sound extremely unreasonable.... maybe they thought you were from Quebec...

No, no, no.

Any cop worth his salt knows that you don't actually see a Quebec plated car when it's out of province.........you just hear the Whoooosh and feel the breeze.

Sorry about the pulled subsidy, but even the Socialist Paradise has its limits.