OWEN SOUND—While the Owen Sound Transportation Company (OSTC) gears up for the 50th anniversary of the Chi-Cheemaun ferry service, this year’s ferry season is being described as stellar and fantastic.
Carl Kuhnke, president of OSTC told The Expositor last week, “in terms of passengers, we had a total of 181,848 passengers travel on the ship and had 76,637 vehicles sail on the ship this season. This is an increase of 18.1 percent for vehicles and 14.5 percent in passenger traffic (over 2022).”
While the passenger and vehicle traffic numbers have increased, the bottom line for the Chi-Cheemaun was not as good, said Mr. Kuhnke. “Our total revenues for the ship were in the neighbourhood of $6.6 million this season, but our expenses were vastly greater.”
Mr. Kuhnke pointed out during the COVID-19 pandemic ferry traffic had decreased around 50 percent.
“I think people realize that sailing is a great way to save on travel time and an enjoyable way to travel,” said Mr. Kuhnke. But while it was a successful season, “for the fiftieth anniversary of the Chi-Cheemaun next year we would like to get the numbers back in line to more of what they were five years ago.” Plans for the anniversary will include, “things like special dinner cruises if we get the crew numbers needed.”
“We are planning a glorious 50th anniversary for the Chi-Cheemaun, subject to having enough staff on hand to allow for us to have cruises outside of the regular sailing schedule,” said Mr. Kuhnke. He stressed the OSTC does not anticipate any staffing problems with the regular sailing schedule in 2024.
“As part of the good news, we did not cancel one sailing this year,” said Mr. Kuhnke.
One of the things the OSTC is looking to provide for passengers next season is to provide Starlink on board. Currently the service is in place for the ship crew. “We are looking to expand this so everyone on the ship can use the wireless service on the ship.”
