Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) officials announced that the Cape May – Lewes Ferry recorded its second consecutive year of passenger and vehicle traffic growth in 2015.
Last year, the ferry service transported 266,149 vehicles and 782,241 passengers compared to 262,010 vehicles and 767,209 passengers who used the Delaware Bay service in 2014. The vehicle and passenger numbers have increased nearly 4 percent and more than 5 percent respectively since 2013.
“We’re pleased with the news and I want to thank our customers for their loyalty and willingness to travel with us,” said Heath Gehrke, director of Ferry Operations.
The ferry had been struggling with declining passenger traffic in the past.
For four consecutive years, the Cape May – Lewes Ferry has earned TripAdvisors Certificate of Excellence and the operation is also rated high on the popular social media rating site YELP.
“The Cape May- Lewes Ferry continues to enhance traveler’s awareness of Lewes and the many historic and nature-based tourism experiences available here,” said Lewes Mayor Ted Becker. “These travelers’ visits to Lewes have a very positive impact on the local economy. We look forward to continuing to work with the DRBA to provide even more opportunities for ferry travelers during the 2016 season.”
According to Rhona Bronson, director of marketing, the Ferry’s digital marketing efforts were also a factor. “Travel and hospitality marketing is increasingly digital as customers go to mobile and online sources for research and self-serve booking. Through a variety of digital tools we have developed channels that reach close to a quarter million customers with ideas for visiting the bay and using the ferry to enrich their experience.”
Bronson added, “As many people who love the freedom of digital travel planning, more still prefer the personal touch where they can get a question answered. We have an amazing group of front line people on the boats and in our Guest Services group who are true area specialists and enjoy interacting with the traveling public daily.”
It was through feedback customers directly gave to team members that led the ferry to test and expand new market opportunities in 2015 such as biker only boats for special motorcycle rally events, a Sunday US Coast Guard brunch on Mother’s Day as part of the county’s US Coast Guard festival and the two-state Brews-by-the-Bay craft beer festival.
Bronson noted that the ferry is also working closely with officials in both Sussex County, DE and Cape May County, NJ to boost bicycle traffic in the Twin Capes region.
Ferry service officials also attributed the ridership increase to a recovering economy coupled with lower gas prices, greater awareness of ferries as a travel option, and favorable weather conditions late in the season.
