Government of Newfoundland and Labrador

 

Rules respecting commuter priority

     Bell Island-Portugal Cove Ferry Service

 

                                                (Updated version April 2005)

 

Interpretation

 

 

 

  1. In these rules:

 

    1. “Commuter” includes any person who is entitled to receive a priority pass issued by the Marine Services Division of the Department.

 

    1. “Priority Pass” means a priority issued to a commuting worker, commuting student or a commuting self employed person who commutes to a regular place of employment, or educational institution of learning.

 

    1. “Commuting worker” is defined as a person who is a resident of Bell Island and whose regular place of employment is outside Bell Island. Commuting worker is also extended to include a person whose residence is located outside Bell Island and the person’s regular place of employment is within Bell Island.

 

    1. Commuting Student” is defined as a person who is resident of Bell Island and whose institution of learning is outside Bell Island. Commuting student is also extended to include a person whose residence is located outside Bell Island and the institution of learning is located within Bell Island.

 

    1. For the purpose of these rules: a commuting student is further defined as a person who is attending a recognized institution of learning on a full-time basis or part time basis. A commuting student participating in on the job training for a period of less than (4) four weeks will be defined s a commuting student under these rules. A commuting worker attending a recognized institution of learning for a period exceeding (4) four weeks will be defined as a commuting student.

 

    1. “Commuting self –employed person” is defined as a person who is resident of Bell Island and whose regular place of employment is outside Bell Island. Commuting self –employed person is extended to include a person whose residence is located outside Bell Island and the person’s regular place of employment is within Bell Island.

 

    1. “Regular place of employment” means to where a person frequently commutes to work, minimum of six return ferry crossings in a (2) two-week calendar period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Priority pass:

 

    1. “Priority pass” means a pass, which, upon application to the Marine Services Division of the Department, is issued to a person specifically defined in these rules.

 

    1. A priority pass shall have renewal dates on January 1st, May 1st and September 1st in the calendar year.

 

    1. A person may renew a priority pass, upon application to the Marine Services Division, by verifying their commuter priority status and regular place of work or study.

 

    1. Commuting workers, students and self-employed persons shall have priority passes issued with different colours for each renewal date serving to distinguish their priority status and to restrict misuse of the privilege.

 

    1. A list containing the names of all persons in receipt of a valid commuter’s pass will be made available as frequently as necessary to the wharf attendants, mates and pursers. This list will also be made available to the Bell Island Ferry Users Committee and anyone else upon request.

 

    1. Commuters will not be allowed to board a ferry unless the person is in receipt of a valid commuter’s priority pass and presents the pass to an authorized crew-member directing passengers and vehicles prior to boarding.

 

    1.  Existing commuters must apply for renewal in sufficient time before their current pass expires and if their application has been submitted the current pass will be honoured until their new pass is processed and renewed. The Manager may screen those currently holding passes and grant an automatic renewal without application to identifiable long-term commuters.

 

    1. New applicant commuters should apply as soon as they feel they are eligible for commuter status and normally they would not be granted commuter status until their application is approved. However, the manager may authorize the pursers to waive this and to grant a grace period to new applicants who have an application review pending. Such individuals may be granted commuter status on the honour system, with a presumption that approval would be forthcoming based on a preliminary screening of the application form.

 

    1.  Holders of commuter passes shall be entitled to access priority for all trips departing from Bell Island and access is available on a 24-hour basis.

 

    1. Commuter priority access and commuter rates will only be honoured for the person whose name is on the pass and only when that person is travelling for purposes related to the employment and/or school purposes for which the pass was granted. Personal and other travel by ferry for commuter pass holders will be charged at regular fares and there is no right to the priority access to the commuter line on Bell Island in such situations.

 

 

  1. Commuter priority line:

 

    1. A vehicle line for commuting workers will be maintained at the Bell Island Terminal for those commuting workers, self- employed workers and students using automotive vehicles to commute to work or school.

 

    1. Commuters with passes must report to the commuter line not later than 15 minutes prior to the scheduled sailing time.

 

    1. Vehicles and passengers boarding the ferry for travel for medical emergencies, persons under escort, fire trucks, and funeral processions (limited to hearse and 3 private vehicles), will be permitted to board the ferry prior to commuting workers, commuting students and commuting self-employed persons and should present themselves for boarding 15 minutes prior to sailing.

 

    1. A commuter vehicle shall be described as an automotive vehicle not measuring more than (6) six meters in overall length.

 

  1. Fares:

 

    1. Commuters as frequent users shall be entitled to reduced regular fares prescribed at the discounted rates set and published annually by Government.

 

    1. Commuters will not be sold a commuter’s fare unless the person is in receipt of a valid commuter priority pass and presents this pass in advance to the purser.

 

    1. As a measure of convenience and efficiency, commuters have the option to purchase an advance commuter ticket containing 12 tickets for use in a prescribed 28-day period. (Minimum use of an average of 3 per week).

 

    1.  Passes are not transferable and the discounted rate only applies to the holder whose name appears on the pass. Passengers travelling in commuter vehicles must pay regular fares unless they hold their own commuter pass and are travelling for employment or school purposes as specified in their application

 

 

  1. Failure to comply:

 

Any person who fails to comply with these rules may have his/her commuter priority pass revoked.

 

 

  1. Other matters:

 

Notwithstanding the above the Marine Services Ferry Manager reserves the   right to evaluate special circumstances to determine eligibility for commuter passes and fares consistent with the best interests of the public.

 

The Bell Island Ferry Users Committee may be engaged in a support role by the Ferry Manager to assist in the evaluation of commuter applications and to recommend to the Manager the issuance or otherwise of passes.