FedNor is providing $46,200 to the Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC) to figure out how to increase ridership on the Chi-Cheemaun ferry.
The ferry, which runs between South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island and Tobermory on the Bruce Peninsula, has seen its numbers decline in recent years. The aim is to boost ridership numbers, which will boost tourism and foster economic development and growth in the region.
The funding “will help capitalize on Manitoulin Island’s tourism potential to attract more visitors, create jobs, and generate economic growth and prosperity for the entire region,” FedNor Minister Tony Clement. “The investment is providing the Owen Sounds Transportation Company with the tools it needs to identify and prioritize viable economic opportunities for the Bruce-Manitoulin ferry service.”
It’s expected the funding will help the OSTC identify key factors impacting travel on the Chi-Cheemaun and develop a comprehensive strategy to reverse the downward trend in the ferry’s ridership.