Nova Scotia government awaits bids to take over ferry from Nova Star

Government officials say they have yet to receive official bids to take over the Yarmouth ferry service, even though the deadline for interested companies is tomorrow.

Transportation Minister Geoff MacLellan told reporters today that the government has been in talks with three different companies keen to take over the service. He said he is confident they will submit their official intentions in time to meet Friday's deadline.

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The Yarmouth ferry service was restarted last year, with Nova Star Cruises selected as the operator.

The government invested $21 million to cover the first seven years of service. That amount was spent within the first few months. In total, Nova Star Cruises has, to date, been given $39.6 million.

Earlier this summer the government opened discussions with alternative service providers to assess options for 2016. MacLellan has said that Nova Star Cruises may be the operator next year, or another company may be selected to take over the run between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine.

Yesterday, a representative from the Department of Transportation said a decision regarding which company will operate the service next year will be made late next month, after the season ends.