Infrastructure Minister Chris Hazzard has announced that fares for Strangford Lough Ferry foot passengers will be suspended after 3.00pm on Friday during the Portaferry Gala Night.
The suspension will allow ferry crews to safely manage the very large crowds of passengers using the Ferry Service on Gala Night.
Minister Hazzard said: “In the interests of passenger safety and to minimise queuing and crowding, no fares will be collected from foot passengers after 3.00pm. The Ferry Service would encourage people to travel early, if possible, to minimise queues and avoid delays.
“Portaferry Gala Night is the busiest day and night of the year for the Ferry Service. It is the only time of the year that you will see over a thousand people travelling on the Ferry Service within an hour. We expect between 5000-6000 people to use the Service on Friday after 3.00pm.”
Normal charges for vehicles and drivers will apply at all times on 22 July. Normal charges for all passengers will apply from 23 July. However, foot passengers can travel for free this Friday 22 July from 3.00pm to the last sailing at 10.45pm.
These arrangements will be advertised by a flyer distributed on the ferry and through local businesses and by SMS text alerts to registered users. Information can also be found on NI Direct:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/strangford-ferry-fares
