The Nova Scotia-to-Maine ferry service has made its first passenger voyage under new management.
The new ferry, known as The Cat, left Yarmouth for Portland Wednesday morning.
Bay Ferries took over the service after the Nova Scotia government dumped the previous operator, Nova Star Cruises, after it failed to meet passenger targets and soaked up $39.5 million in provincial subsidies during its two years of service.
The new service is expected to run until Sept. 30 with daily departures from Yarmouth at 8:30 a.m. and Portland at 2:30 p.m.
The ferry can carry 282 cars and 866 passengers.
Nova Scotia taxpayers will pay at least $32.7 million over the next two years to re-establish the ferry service.
The new ferry is getting $23.3 million in the first year, including $9 million for a vessel refit to be carried out at a U.S. shipyard.
There is also $4.1 million for startup costs and for terminal upgrades needed in Yarmouth.
The funding in the second year will be $9.4 million, with terms for future years negotiated based on performance.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.