Fast Ferry Agrees To Consumer Refunds

Attorney General Spitzer today announced an agreement that will provide refunds for consumers who hold tickets for a discontinued ferry service in Rochester.

Under the agreement, Canadian American Transportation Systems (CATS) will provide $150,000 to Spitzer’s office for refunds to more than 1,000 consumers who have already filed complaints. In addition, CATS has agreed to honor additional consumer requests for refunds that are filed with Spitzer’s office within the next 45 days.

Spitzer thanked the company for working with his office to honor obligations to consumers.

CATS initiated fast ferry service between Rochester and Toronto last year, but the company encountered financial problems and abruptly halted operations in September, leaving thousands of consumers holding worthless pre-paid tickets.

At that time, Spitzer’s office had successfully obtained refunds for the first 50 consumers who filed complaints. Later, as more consumer complaints were filed, Spitzer’s office approached CATS to secure refunds, but talks with the company did not progress. Spitzer last week notified the company of his intention to file a lawsuit if the company did not address additional refund requests. At that time, there were nearly 600 outstanding complaints. Since then, Spitzer’s office has received hundreds more complaints. As of noon on Friday, 1,138 consumers have filed complaints.

A tentative agreement was reached last Friday. Today, the company finalized the agreement and transmitted $150,000 to provide full refunds to the 1,138 consumers.

Other consumers may be eligible for refunds under the agreement if they file a complaint form with the Attorney General’s office before March 10, 2005. Those who have already filed complaints with Spitzer’s office do not need to submit any additional documentation, but all those who claim refunds must turn in their original ferry tickets, gift certificates or passport to savings cards when they seek their refund.

To obtain a complaint form, consumers are encouraged to contact the Attorney General’s consumer help line at 1-800-771-7755 or visit his web site at www.ag.ny.gov.

This case is being handled by Assistant Attorney General In Charge Bobby Colón and Assistant Attorney General Carlos Rodriguez of the Rochester Regional Office.