A lot of us in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, are overjoyed that we finally have a ferry to continue the service resurrected by the Nova Star. The Canadian dollar and fuel prices are both very low right now, so there isn’t likely to be a better time to plan a trip to Nova Scotia.

Now, let’s wander into more delicate territory. The news that the new Cat is not expected to carry transport trucks has generated more than a little fury in our corner of the universe, for various good reasons that probably don’t matter to your readers.

Here’s what might matter to folks in Portland: Transport trucks made up an important part of the traffic on the Nova Star. Ask any of the folks in the know with the former Nova Star Cruises.

Cutting off this potential revenue stream will affect the viability of this service. If keeping a ferry to Nova Scotia is a long-term priority, you’d better worry about maintaining its versatility. That’s one thing that helped kill the old Cat.

Otherwise, a working waterfront includes trucks in this day and age. If you cut transports out of your downtown, I bet other businesses will also be adversely affected. Tourism is great, but it does have to accommodate the real world to a reasonable extent.

Then there’s the question of good will on this side of the border. The cash-strapped province of Nova Scotia is once again paying big bucks to maintain this service (with its American crew!), and Portland is benefiting, yet it vetoes truck traffic. If the shoe were on the other foot, how would you folks feel?

I recommend in the strongest possible terms that your authorities allow truck traffic on the new Cat.

John Sollows

Yarmouth, Nova Scotia