P.E.I. experienced an increase in the volume of vehicles traveling to and from the Island via the Confederation Bridge and ferry services during August, as indicated by the province’s tourism metrics.
The statistics, released by Tourism P.E.I. last week, reveal that the number of vehicles departing by ferry to Nova Scotia or crossing the bridge to New Brunswick rose by 25 percent compared to the same month in 2024.
The number of visitors arriving in the province on cruise ships also saw an approximate three percent rise over last August, whereas air travel figures dropped by nearly 16 percent.
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Ottawa makes good on promise to cut Confederation Bridge tolls, ferry fares in Eastern Canada
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Cheaper Confederation Bridge trips turning into traffic at businesses near Borden-Carleton
The increase in traffic on the bridge and ferry services followed the federal government’s reduction of tolls, which took effect on August 1. This adjustment lowered the fee for crossing the bridge from $50.25 to $20, while the costs for the Northumberland Strait ferry service were halved.
P.E.I. Tourism Minister Zack Bell stated, “This was one of those trade impediments Prime Minister Mark Carney has talked about, trying to break down those barriers [and] this was one of the biggest ones.”
He mentioned that the reduced fees at P.E.I.’s entry points likely alleviated financial barriers for travelers from surrounding provinces who may not have previously considered visiting.
Ottawa lowered the cost for passengers travelling by ferry between the Island and New Brunswick by 50 per cent earlier this year. (Carolyn Ryan/CBC)
Bell expressed, “Any little bit that can help bring people to P.E.I., we’re in favour of that. I know it’s a huge boom for our industries that are trying to get their products off P.E.I.”
Although final tourism statistics for August are still pending, Bell is eager to analyze how these changes have impacted local businesses and operators on the Island.
He recognized that the reduction in tolls might also prompt more Islanders to travel for shopping and trips to other provinces, but he believes the advantages resulting from lower fees significantly outweigh any potential downsides.
“I think it’s a win-win for everybody.”
