08/15/2006

News in Brief

Lake Michigan ferry suspends service

MUSKEGON (AP) — Service on the Lake Express high-speed ferry will be suspended until Thursday to allow time for a damaged gear to be replaced on one of the boat's four engine-drive mechanisms.

The ferry, which carries cars and people across Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Muskegon, is expected to be back in service on Friday, Lake Express LLC said in a release.

The company said Monday that it will refund all prepaid fares and help affected customers find other modes of transportation.

This time of year, the Milwaukee-based ferry normally makes three round trips daily, with each crossing taking 2½ hours. Only two round trips, with each crossing taking 3½ hours, were to be made Monday before repair work was to begin in the evening.