1st ferry to use Toledo marine terminal departs Friday
5/26/2008The first ferry to use the new Toledo Maritime Terminal is scheduled to dock Friday morning for a chartered round trip to Put-in-Bay, Ohio.
While most seats aboard the Jet Express high-speed catamaran will be awarded to contestants in promotions sponsored by local radio stations WVKS-FM and WIOT-FM, about 100 tickets will be available for sale to the general public for a $55 fare, said Tom Brady, a spokesman for Put-in-Bay Boat Line Co.
The charter is scheduled to leave at 9:30 a.m. and return at 7:30 p.m., with a travel time of about 80 minutes each way, Mr. Brady said.
Similar Jet Express charters have been run from Toledo in the past, but they have used the Toledo Yacht Club as a boarding location.
"We're trying to support what Toledo built," Mr. Brady said concerning the switch to the Toledo Marine Terminal on Front Street at the east end of the Marina District project site.
A Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority contractor finished the $3.2 million terminal last fall, but for now it has no scheduled ferry service.
The potential for regular Jet Express service will depend significantly on how well the upcoming charter sells, Mr. Brady said.
A casino charter to Detroit or Windsor, Ont., also is being considered, he said.
Reservations for the Friday trip may be made by calling the Jet Express office at 1-800-245-1538. Tickets also may be available for purchase on the dock on Friday, depending on how many seats are still available, Mr. Brady said.