People in the Village of Gagetown say without their ferry, tourism has plummeted.

Residents in this small central New Brunswick community say its main industry is suffering due to a government decision made earlier this year to cut the St. John River crossing.

In November, Thane Mallory opened up his first restaurant, Gulliver’s World Café. Three months later, Mallory found out the province was cutting his link to some customers.

“When the ferry was taken away, it’s just like, ‘Oh my gosh, why did I do this,’” says Mallory. It cuts out a substantial amount of business and it also has cut off the scenic route of New Brunswick."

For much of the past half-century, the village had a river ferry that carried residents and tourists alike across the river.

This year, the provincial budget cut the ferry, after a study showed the vessel needed at least $1.4-million in repairs. As soon as that happened, people rallied to bring their ferry back.

It isn’t a new fight for the people of Gagetown. When Shawn Graham’s government cut the ferry, the people protested, and they won it back. However, this government doesn’t seem to want to budge on their decision.

“In terms of future, we’re not looking at that decision again,” says Transportation Minister Bill Fraser. “The decision is done, and it’s not going to be reversed.”

This is the first full summer the village will have survived without their ferry, and Mallory says its hurting tourism.

“Actually, we had a couple yesterday that were incredibly frustrated,” says Mallory. “Thank goodness they came, because they kept calling saying, ‘I think we’re lost,’ because they were sent over to the other side of the river. They had to drive an additional 35 kilometres.”

Mallory has taken things literally into his own hands, coming up with the ‘world’s most expensive French fries.’ They’re made with goose fat from France, and they’re one of a kind. This is part of an idea to try and lure people off the Trans-Canada Highway.

Regardless of Mallory’s new plan, Fraser says that overall, tourism is up.

“Our website bookings and our referrals early on in the season were up 50 percent over the last year,” says Fraser.

He also said first-quarter financial results for the St. John River Valley area, where Gagetown is located, have increased five to seven percent.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Laura Brown