Ferry link promoters hope to break even after 3 years

THE promoters of a proposed ferry link in a harbour between the Burren in Co Clare and Galway city are seeking to break even after three years and be profitable thereafter.

Last month a Clare-based company, Ballyvaughan Bay Hop, sought tenders for a feasibility survey to assess the viability of a proposed new ferry service.

The promoters want to create a passenger service to Galway from Ballyvaughan which attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists yearly.

In heavy traffic, journey times between Ballyvaughan and Galway city can take up to two hours but the same journey by sea, will take just 30 minutes.

Yesterday, the company published further tender documentation in relation to the plan, stating it hopes the project will break even after three years, if not before, and profitable thereafter.

The likely cost of the 12 seater boat would be around €180,000 with annual running costs around €32,500.

The service is to target “existing regular commuters to Galway for work and part-time education, occasional commuters for shopping and private business.”

“Future target markets will include college students and possibly second-level students, and of course, tourists”.

The service will involve a 12-seater hard cabin rib with covered waiting area on Ballyvaughan New Pier and ideally, same in Galway Harbour. The promoters will also require access to a 14-seater minivan on bad sea days.

The tender states that the operation would operate an online booking facility for a scheduled service between March and October and November and February.

It advises prospective parties to be able to provide a connecting bus service from Galway harbour feeding Ballybrit and Liosban while, on the Clare side, a local bus service connecting to areas of tourist potential.