by
Juan Wilson on 1 July 2006
The
new ferry service between Toronto and Rochester is not doing well.
In general, is perceived to be advantageous to the much larger city
Toronto. The service uses the same size and kind of ship as is proposed
between Oahu and the outer islands.
In the first
few months of operation it lost more than four million dollars.
Some are saying a smaller ship should have been put in use. Others
are saying that the only way to save the service is to start casino
gambling on board.
Is this the
future that awaits us?
Toronto
Star Editorial Slams Ferry
by Liz Medhin 5 November 2005 in the Rochester News
Supporters of Rochester's Fast Ferry are fired up. They are on the
defensive again after an unflattering editorial in a Toronto newspaper.
The editorial criticized Mayor Bill Johnson's request for financial
help from Canada and predicts that the ferry will fail.
“I think that as people get used to the idea it'll only pick
up," Don Locke of Milton. He and his wife came in on the ferry
Saturday.
After taking the ferry twice from Toronto to Rochester, Locke said
he had to bring his wife along.
"Oh, it was very relaxing,” Patricia Locke said. “Sit
there, watch a movie, then we had lunch. Then we watched the shoreline
when we came in."
The two say they don't agree with the Toronto Star's editorial.
It said Rochester Mayor Bill Johnson's request for Canadian tourism
dollars should be "politely denied." It goes on to say
"Johnson should look elsewhere. Canadians are under no obligation
to bail out this sinking ferry service, especially since its odds
of survival are slim, no matter what we do."
Mayor Johnson says he couldn’t disagree more.
“The money that we are talking about is money that is set
aside to promote tourism in Canada,” Johnson explained. “That
editorial is a little short sighted, but I think that once we are
able to meet with the appropriate people, they are going to understand
exactly what we are talking about.”
The Lockes agree.
Even though the ferry's first six months this year lost five times
more than the expected $700,000, the say it's too soon to judge
and that more promotion could help.
They hope more take the short trip across the lake, before a rebound
is dead in the water.
"While Rochester is a beautiful place, Toronto has got a lot
to offer as well,” Locke continued. “I think, having
a ferry only benefits Toronto. I don't see why they wouldn't consider
it."
Toronto
Star Article Blasts Fast Ferry
by Rochester News Staff on 5 November 2005
The fast ferry is once again the target of criticism in a Toronto
newspaper.
This time it's an editorial in the Toronto Star that has some upset.
Mayor Johnson recently called for Canadians to chip in tourism dollars
to help the project. The editorial in Friday's Star says Mayor Johnson's
request should be politely denied.
It goes on to say, "Johnson should look elsewhere. Canadians
are no under obligation to bail out this sinking ferry service,
especially since its odds of survival are slim, no matter what we
do."
We asked ferry board member Gladys Santiago to respond. She said,
"You really don't want to know how I'd respond to it. But I'll
tell you that we know that we're going to be successful. They don't
know what they're talking about, to be truthful with you. We're
very optimistic that the ferry will make it on the other side. Yes,
it's had its problems, but we have an excellent management team
up front with it."
Last week the ferry board showed the operation lost more than $4-million
in its first two months of service.
Will
Ferry Still Float After the Election?
by Kyle Clark on 5 November for WHAM Rochester
The next mayor
of Rochester will inherit a fast ferry in rough financial waters.
The ferry lost more than $4 million in its first three months of
operation.
We asked the candidates for mayor a series of yes or no questions
about the ferry.
First: Should Rochester try to share ownership of the ferry
with Monroe County, New York State or Canada?
Republican John Parrinello says yes.
Red, White and Blue candidate Chris Maj says no.
Democrat Bob Duffy and Working Families candidate Tim Mains both
say they wouldn't rule it out, but it's not their strategy for righting
the ship.
"The solution to the ferry is a casino," Parrinello said.
He supports onboard gambling.
So does Maj.
Duffy and Mains
say maybe.
Next question: Should we sell it or trade it in for a smaller
model?
Duffy says it's too early to tell.
Mains says trade it.
Parrinello would consider selling it.
Maj would leave it up to the voters.
"I think we should take a vote on big ticket items like the
ferry," he said.
Next: Should the ferry's monthly reports be opened up so taxpayers
can see how it's doing?
Everyone is on board with that except Duffy, who promises more transparency,
but wouldn't commit to opening the books.
Last question: Should the public cough up more cash to fuel
the ferry?
Maj and Parrinello say no.
Duffy and Mains wouldn't rule it out, but both put conditions on
that 'yes'.
"I'm not going to subsidize the boat at the sacrifice of the
fiscal health of the city," Mains said.
"Using additional taxpayer money or a subsidy is going to be
the last resort," Duffy said.
There's a good amount of "wait and see" from the candidates.
It's impossible to tell where the boat is headed from here. |
