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Open bidding process could end Niagara Falls' Maid of the Mist boat tours
Spring's arrival means the Maid of the Mist boat tours open this Saturday, but a brewing storm may keep the ships from launching next year.The famous tour company's first ferry boat launched in 1846, offering the best way to see Niagara Falls up close without donning a barrel.
Since then, millions of people, among them Princess Di and Marilyn Monroe, have taken the 30-minute tour into the mist. Some, like a certain fictional couple from NBC's "The Office," have even exchanged their vows on board while wearing the Maid of the Mist's signature (and complimentary!) blue ponchos.
The Maid of the Mist boats are the only ones that offer Niagara Falls tours from both the United States and Canada. In fact, they've done so without competition for decades. The fact is, there's really not room on the shore for much competition. And that's where our controversy comes in.
The Maid of the Mist Steamboat Company docks its boats and sells its tickets on public land in both countries. Its 25-year lease was about to be quietly renewed in Ontario when questions arose about why the Niagara Parks Commission would renew it without seeking other bids. So, the Maid of the Mist company is on a month-to-month lease while other bids are being sought.
The bidding process is being conducted in secret, but rumors have everyone from Ripley Entertainment to Circle Line Tours to Disney Cruise Line trying to get a piece of the Niagara Falls action.
For its part, the Maid of the Mist company tells the Buffalo (N.Y.) News that it will prevail in the bidding process, and the historic site of Jim and Pam's wedding will sail into the mist for decades to come.
Filed under: North America, Canada, United States
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
meanvee Apr 5th 2010 6:03PM
Greed is the only reason they would entertain other offers, i woul hope that the same company continues run that tour.
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ANNE Apr 6th 2010 8:33PM
The Maid of the Mist has been monopolized by the same people for to many years. They are the only ones making money doing this...not the state or the people who live here. The only ones that are greedy are the Glynn's who own all the rights to riding on the Maid of the Mist in the U.S. I say open it up for compition,and let the best company win.
judy Apr 6th 2010 8:34PM
what this article fails to explain is the fact that there were other companies interested in bidding on the maid of the mist contract & were locked out. if you want to get the real story check out the niagara falls reporter, for it was their hard hitting stories that brought the behind the scenes & somewhat unethical awarding of the maid's contract to light. check out the reporter, then tell me who's greedy.
rwa325 Apr 6th 2010 9:03PM
Is the caps shipt key on your keyboard broken?
tyrebitre Apr 6th 2010 9:44PM
"rwa325 Apr 6th 2010 9:03PM
Is the caps shipt key on your keyboard broken?"
No. Are the "F" and the "P" switched on yours ?
Ed Apr 6th 2010 8:42PM
That would be a shame to lose the maid of the mist tour, I went on it with my family and it was great.
http://www.roadtripsinamerica.com
Michelle Morgan-Harsin Apr 6th 2010 9:28PM
Disney makes me sick!!!! They have to take a piece of everything. God forbid someone else makes a dime. Disney World is so pricy families can't even afford to go. Now they want to get into this. Like I said...Disney makes me sick....
Andy Apr 6th 2010 10:10PM
After a while (164 years to be exact) it shouldn't be about who is aloud to make the money, but if the people (not the companies) want to perserve their history/hereitage.
johnjap2 Apr 6th 2010 10:16PM
If this is up for bidding... I only hope it is for the LOWEST Bid... Lets try to keep prices DOWN. comments?
John in RVA Apr 7th 2010 12:02AM
Do you really mean "lowest bid?" If this is a concession business opportunity being offered by governments who, presumably, are looking to obtain the maximum benefit to them, I suspect that they'll look for the highest bid...so that they (the governments involved) receive the highest income to them (the governments). Just a thought. ICBW.
Jan Apr 6th 2010 11:00PM
Some things need to stay the same. The Maid of the Mist is a tradition of the falls and I would hate to see that changed. Don't need Disney or any other large company messing up this tradition. It will lose it's charm if they don't keep it. I don't want some foreign company taking it over either. What were these airheads thinking. I would rather not see any boats at all if they do not keep the ones that now have it. Just keep it as it is. Some things DO NOT NEED CHANGE !!! And this is one of them. It would be like putting hats on Mt.Rushmore, just would not be the same and it would be ruined. I am sure many people agree and don't want this treasure ruined. Stop looking for the almighty dollar and keep the local folks on both sides of falls happy. If it changes, the new people will bring in their own people and more unemployment. LEAVE IT THE HELL ALONE !!!!
cindi Apr 7th 2010 12:04AM
You said right down to LEAVE IT THE HELL ALONE., i'm with you on this one all the way!!
Keith Apr 7th 2010 10:03PM
This is just another example of greedy bastard companies trying to make a buck. Where was Disney a hundred years alone. Let the Maid of the Mist company keep giving the tours. Leave history and tradition the hell alone. Quit screwing the public Disney over a dollar
Randall Apr 7th 2010 12:03AM
Leave the Maid of the Mist as is. It has a charm all of it's own. Disney,Carnival, or any other Hollywood Corporate type will just ruin it. The whole Falls experience is one of lifes simple pleasures. A celebration of nature. Do we really need Goofy and the stupid Mouse Ears ............. I think not......
Christine Apr 7th 2010 12:16AM
It would be nice to open bids to non-profit companies. It would create or at least maintain current jobs. Keep away the big corporations with only interest in profits that could potentially cut jobs in the interest of greed.
Sharon Apr 7th 2010 12:24AM
What if the price the governments are paying for Maid of the Mist's service is way out of line with the actual cost or profit? It would be irresponsible not to bid it out. Let them compete, and may the best deal win, but not to open it up to scrutiny at all would smack of back-room dealings. Given that, MotM is certainly the sentimental favorite with a long history of exemplary work. Let them go up against others and hopefully re-earn the honor outright with their competitive bid. A fairly awarded re-up contract means they don't have to defend any monopoly insinuations. Incidentally, I would have a clause in the bid requests that guards against excessive commercialization...not that Disney wouldn't find a way to junk it up anyway. :-(
alschrod Apr 8th 2010 12:20AM
For many years the boat ride's operator has had a "sweetheart" franchise with NY state, while spending as little as possible on upkeep and employee salaries. I urge everyone that enjoys a true story to call up the: Niagara Falls Reporter's "analysis" web site. It's a real eye-opener!
frank Apr 7th 2010 12:44AM
i believe that andy has the correct position on this issue.
Debra Apr 7th 2010 2:18AM
It is so depressing to think people are battling over Niagara Falls. If only everyone knew of its significance. The falls provide an enormous amount of power capacity to the Mohawk Power authority.The rivers that feed the falls can be turned on and off in order to serve the Mohawk Power company. Yes, it's true. A power company can control the amount of water that goes over those gigantic rocks at Niagara Falls . Fact. Go see them before they are turned off forever. My parents went to Niagara Falls and I went five years ago with my boyfriend. This is a natural wonder of the world. And by the way, don't miss a side trip to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada!
Kris Marshall Apr 7th 2010 3:42AM
I grew up near Niagara Falls,everyone who has been to Niagara Falls knows of the Maid of The Mist. It should be declared a national monument and allowed to continue as is, in perpetuity. What money the State might rake in from the concession is not going to balance the horrendous financial mess they are in. There is a precedent by the way. San Francisco's Cable Cars are the only mobile national monuments at the time being.