Additional ferry staff must be retained: MP

Additional ferry staff must be retained: MP

14 September 2016

ADDITIONAL staff recruited to meet increasing demand for the Strangford ferry service must be retained permanently, according to South Down MP Margaret Ritchie.

The huge success of the recently reopened Exploris aquarium in Portaferry is having a major impact on the service, with the revamped tourist facility attracting thousands of people to the village.

The ferry service experienced a significant increase in demand compared to normal summer traffic when Exploris reopened, with passenger and vehicle numbers hitting 25,000 and 6,800 respectively, compared to an average of around 16,000 passengers and 5,500 vehicles over previous weeks.

Transport NI revealed recently that the ferry service liaised closely with Exploris to attempt to forecast the number of potential visitors, particularly at busy times, when the aquarium reopened. 

A second ferry operated last weekend and on bank holiday Monday, with Transport NI intending to monitor passenger numbers to assist with what it described as the “long term planning for the crossing.”

Miss Ritchie said additional staff were recruited to assist with traffic management and tickets sales in order to allow the ferry to provide more sailings. She hopes the employees will be retained on a permanent basis.

“The additional staff ensured traffic in Strangford was managed and traffic flow maintained. Given the increase in the number of visitors to the area and the reopening of Exploris, I have asked Transport NI that the additional staff are retained permanently,” she said.

“It is vital that traffic management in Strangford continues and that visitors to this side of the lough have the best possible experience.

“A first class experience for tourist and increased economic growth for our local communities is vital.”