The ferry is sold at auction Feb. 28, 2005 to Rochester Ferry Company LLC, a subsidiary of the City of Rochester for $32 million. The only other bid was from EFIC who bid $29 million. The City of Rochester was now in the ferry business.
The City must have been working ahead because an agreement with Bay Ferries is reached March 8th. The Board of Managers of the Rochester Ferry Company authorized a three-year agreement with Bay Ferries Limited of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada to operate the fast ferry service between Rochester and Toronto. That comes as welcome news as Bay Ferries is successfully operating ferries elsewhere.
On Apr. 24th the head gaskets are being repaired on the ferry in Port of Rochester. Then on Apr. 27th it was announced that the nickname was now going to be "The CAT" and that service should begin on June 17th.
Meanwhile CATS was still making news. On May 11th the press found out that a company named Maplestar (same people as owned CATS) only pays $1 per year rent for the Rochester terminal building.
On May 15ththe ferry leaves for St Catharine's, Ontario to be painted, have minor repairs and be inspected. The very next day the ferry is sitting in a dry dock when it slides off the dry dock and back into the water. Luckily there is no damage.
On May 17th the following fares were released:
| 2005 Rochester - Toronto Rates | ||
|---|---|---|
| All Rates In US Dollars | ||
| Peak Sailings: 6/24 - 9/5/05 (other dates TBD--Yankees, etc) | ||
| Passenger Fares | Off Peak Sailings One Way |
Peak Sailings One Way |
| Adults (14-59) | $29.00 | $32.00 |
| Youth (6-13) | $10.00 | $12.00 |
| Children (0-5) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Seniors (60+) | $25.00 | $28.00 |
| Passenger Seat Upgrade: | ||
| Business Class | $44.00 | $47.00 |
| Low Vehicles to 6'6" | ||
| Vehicle & Trailer up to 20' | $30.00 | $35.00 |
| Vehicle & Trailer 21' to 30' | $45.00 | $50.00 |
| Vehicle & Trailer 31' to 40' | $60.00 | $65.00 |
| Vehicle & Trailer 41' to 50' | $100.00 | $105.00 |
| Motorcycles | $20.00 | $25.00 |
| Motorcycle & Side Car | $30.00 | $35.00 |
| Motorcycle & Trailer | $35.00 | $40.00 |
| Bicycles | $10.00 | $10.00 |
| Bicycles & Trailer | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Medium Vehicles 6'7" - 8'4" | ||
| Vehicle & Trailer up to 20' | $40.00 | $45.00 |
| Vehicle & Trailer 21' to 30' | $55.00 | $60.00 |
| Vehicle & Trailer 31' to 40' | $70.00 | $75.00 |
| Vehicle & Trailer 41' to 50' | $110.00 | $115.00 |
| High Vehicles 8'5" - 14'9" | ||
| Vehicle & Trailer up to 20' | $180.00 | $185.00 |
| Vehicle & Trailer 21' to 30' | $195.00 | $200.00 |
| Vehicle & Trailer 31' to 40' | $210.00 | $215.00 |
| Vehicle & Trailer 41' to 50' | $250.00 | $255.00 |
| Car Load Special: Maximum 6 Persons. Includes vehicle to 6'6"H & 20'L. Rates available for other vehicle classifications. |
||
| Car Load Special (Maximum 6 persons) | $117.00 | $131.00 |
| *$10 per foot surcharge for vehicles in excess of 50' | ||
| * Return Vehicle Discount | $15.00 | |
| Port & Security Fee | $5.00 | |
| Total Fees per person | $5.00 | |
| Motorcoach Rates | Off Peak One Way |
Peak One Way |
| Adult (approx. 35% off rack) | $19.00 | $21.00 |
| Motorcoach | $200.00 | $200.00 |
| For information on group sales please call 1- 866-864-7447 | ||
| Port & security fee applied to all passengers including bus and group passengers | ||
"Spirit of Ontario I" docked at the Port Weller Dry Dock in St. Catharines, Ontario, May 30, 2005.
Photo by Ryan Tucker.
The ferry returned to Rochester in early June. On July 18th it was announced that there would be a public tour of the ferry on the 26th.
Photo by Dick Halsey
