Lake Express has successful sixth year despite poor economy

Despite high fuel prices and fewer people traveling, operators of Muskegon's high speed ferry service to Milwaukee say the ship is ending the year on a small wave of success. A variety of discount offers and allowing kids to ride free have generated business.

According to excerpts from the story:

The operators of the Lake Express high-speed ferry between Muskegon and Milwaukee have faced down the current economy and challenging summer tourist season to survive the 2009 sailing year. Company officials say that their special offers such as "kids ride free" and a discounted round-trip fare on certain crossings have kept the turnstiles moving in a difficult year.

With competitor the S.S. Badger announcing last week that it will cut its 2009 sailing season two weeks short due to an early hull inspection at a Wisconsin shipyard, year-end business has been brisk, Lake Express officials said.

"We began receiving calls that very day, and we've been receiving a steady flow of bookings ever since from passengers having to rebook reservations," said Aaron Schultz, director of sales and marketing for Lake Express.

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