The provincial government has committed another $1.5 million to the Nova Star ferry service Wednesday, bringing to the total 2015 subsidy to $11.1 million.

Since the ferry service was restarted last year, the province has spent $39.6 million helping to keep the operation financially afloat.

At the beginning of this year's season, the provincial government promised the ferry operator access to a $13 million fund. The government would transfer funds if the company could prove it required financial assistance.

Late last month, the provincial government handed Nova Star Cruises $1.5 million. The funding came days before the company announced a decline in ridership compared to 2014.

Company officials called the ridership numbers "disappointing".

The province is currently evaluating three alternative service providers, along with Nova Star, to select an operator for 2016.

Earlier this month, Nova Star's management team told the government it could be a profitable operation if ridership increased to 80,000 passengers per year. Last year, there were 59,000 and this year is on track to be even less.