Portaferry gala boost for ferry passengers

Good news for Portaferry Gala visitors tonight with the announcement that all passenger fares will be suspended on the Strangford ferry from this afternoon.

The Department of Infrastructure has announced that foot passengers travelling to the grand Portaferry Gala float parade evening — the biggest night in the gala week festivities — will travel for free from 3pm this afternoon.

The Department says the suspension will allow ferry crews to safely manage the very large crowds of passengers using the ferry service on Gala Night.

The suspension, which will help minimise queuing and crowding in the interests of passenger safety, means no fares will be collected from foot passengers after 3.00pm to the last sailing at 10.45pm.

With between 5,000 - 6,000 people expected to use the service on Friday after 3.00pm, the ferry service would encourage people to travel early, if possible, to minimise queues and avoid delays.

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Normal charges for vehicles and drivers will apply at all times on 21 July. Normal charges for all passengers will apply from 22 July.

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