In an exclusive official announcement to The Freeman last night, Supercat Fast Ferry Corporation operations manager James Lavides disclosed that Supercat 22 launches its resumed voyage to Tagbilaran City on Saturday with an 8:30 a.m. trip. "We have never closed our doors nor burned our bridges on our Tagbilaran services," Lavides said.
He said the acquisition of an efficient ship has prompted management to re-enter the route. Running on propellers, the Supercat 22 has a seating capacity for some 200 passengers and is said to be more fuel-efficient.
Tour handler Walter Sultan is optimistic about resuming the once-profitable day tours. Sultan is president of Travel Village, a travel agency based in Bohol, who once had strong partnerships with Supercat for its flagship tours, the "Island Skip Trips," a specially designed package that includes tarsier watching and lunch on a boathouse at the Loboc River.
SFFC pulled out its Tagbilaran and Dumaguete services almost 18 months ago in May 2005. A corporate official blamed reduced capacity levels, high fuel costs and limp government regulations for the pull out. The official said the pull out was a well thought of option to recoup investments and sustain operations. Back then the announcement ignited uproar in Tagbilaran and disbelief among travel agents especially that the sudden termination came at a time when Boholanos hold most of their fiestas in May.
Lavides last night said the company has reached a level of "sustainable service" even as operations continue to be challenged with high fuel costs. He said that the ship is such that "its engines are fuel efficient and require low maintenance."
The Bohol service has three trips daily that is Cebu-Tagbilaran at 8:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.. Published schedules for Tagbilaran-Cebu are 10:30 a.m., 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m..
One-way fare to Tagbilaran is P450. On the occasion of its resumption, Supercat offers promotional fare where only P210 is added for round trip purchase.
Supercat now operates four vessels on its fleet in three port of calls. The Supercats 20 and 23 operate in Batangas, Supercat 21 in Ormoc and Supercat 22 in Tagbilaran. - Ruth G. Mercado