Matt Barter

A recently obtained access-to-information request reveals the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Department of Transportation and Infrastructure spent $99,750,837 to operate 16 ferries from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024. 9,431 residents were served. There were 746,117 annual passengers and 392,636 annual vehicles. $7,223,250 was made in revenue. The subsidization rate was 92.76 percent, and the operating cost per resident was $10,577.

The operating costs include vessel operations (crew, fuel, supplies), vessel refits, vessel insurance, and emergency air service. Wharf and terminal upgrades, vessel acquisitions, and administration costs were not included.

For the Bell Island – Portugal Cove service, The Beaumont Hamel cost $5,837,973 to operate, the Legionnaire cost $9,457,522, and the Flanders cost $9,565,031. 2,079 residents were served. There were 386,917 annual passengers and 221,336 annual vehicles. The amount made in revenue for The Beaumont Hamel was not available. The Legionnaire made $750,683 in revenue, and the Flanders made $62,159. The subsidization rate was 96.7 percent, and the operating cost per resident was $11,958.

The Fogo Island – Change Islands – Farewell service by the Veteran cost $13,301,565 to operate. 2,301 residents were served. There were 168,700 annual passengers and 89,300 annual vehicles. $839,931 was made in revenue. The subsidization rate was 93.7 percent, and the operating cost per resident was $5,781.

The St. Brendan’s – Burnside service by the Grace Sparkes cost $3,703,218 to operate. 125 residents were served. There were 12,700 annual passengers and 7,500 annual vehicles. $74,101 was made in revenue. The subsidization rate was 98 percent, and the operating cost per resident was $29,626.

The Long Island – Pilley’s Island service by the Hazel McIsaac cost $2,858,022 to operate. 169 residents were served. There were 29,200 annual passengers and 17,600 annual vehicles. $86,151 was made in revenue. The subsidization rate was 97 percent, and the operating cost per resident was $16,911.

The Ramea – Grey River – Burgeo service by the Gallipoli cost $4,969,492 to operate. 388 residents were served. There were 13,200 annual passengers and 6,000 annual vehicles. $107,266 was made in revenue. The subsidization rate was 97.8 percent, and the operating cost per resident was $12,808

The La Poile – Rose Blanche service by the Challenge One cost $2,149,484 to operate. 61 residents were served. There were 3,200 annual passengers, and the number of annual vehicles was not available. $35,929 was made in revenue. The subsidization rate was 98.3 percent, and the operating cost per resident was $35,237.

The Francois – Grey River – Burgeo service by the Marine Voyager cost $2,374,993 to operate. 159 residents were served. There were 3,500 annual passengers, and the number of annual vehicles was not available. $58,158 was made in revenue. The subsidization rate was 97.6 percent, and the operating cost per resident was $14,937.

The Gaultois – McCallum – Hermitage service by the Marine Eagle cost $2,226,494 to operate. 145 residents were served. There were 6,200 annual passengers, and the number of annual vehicles was not available. $28,818 was made in revenue. The subsidization rate was 98.7 percent, and the operating cost per resident was $15,355.

The Rencontre East – Bay L’Argent – Pool’s Cove service by the Terra Nova cost $2,285,521 to operate. 115 residents were served. There were 7,500 annual passengers, and the number of annual vehicles was not available. $38,784 was made in revenue. The subsidization rate was 98.3 percent, and the operating cost per resident was $19,874.

The South East Bight – Petite Forte service by the Marine Coaster III cost $2,018,285 to operate. 169 residents were served. There were 5,800 annual passengers, and the number of annual vehicles was not available. $30,474 was made in revenue. The subsidization rate was 98.5 percent, and the operating cost per resident was $11,943.

The Charlottetown – Norman’s Bay service by Helicopter Service cost $394,823 to operate. 15 residents were served, and the operating cost per resident was $26,322. All other information was not available.

The St. Barbe – Blanc Sablon service by Qajaq cost $16,820,861 to operate. The number of residents served was not available. There were 104,000 annual passengers and 50,900 annual vehicles. $3,155,974 was made in revenue. The subsidization rate was 81.2 percent, and the operating cost per resident was not available.

The Black Tickle – Cartwright – Rigolet – Goose Bay – Makkovik – Postville – Hopedale – Natuashish – Nain service by Kamutik cost $19,980,466 to operate. 3,405 residents were served. There were 5,200 annual passengers and 900 annual vehicles. $1,954,822 was made in revenue. The subsidization rate was 90.2 percent, and the operating cost per resident was $5,393.

The Swing Vessel service by Sound of Islay cost $1,807,088 to operate, and no other information was available.

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Matt Barter is a graduate of the Humanities and Social Sciences Faculty at Memorial University of Newfoundland, holding a degree in Political Science with a minor in Sociology. He enjoys reading thought-provoking articles, taking walks in nature, and volunteering in the community.