ISSUE DATE:
JANUARY 20, 2004

TOPIC:

ENCOURAGING MEETING HELD WITH USERS COMMITTEE AND TRANSPORTATION MINISTER RIDEOUT RESPECTING BELL ISLAND FERRY SERVICE

RELEASE APPROVED BY:

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON

DAVID BRAZIL

709-576-2996
709-729-6890

BELL ISLAND FERRY USERS COMMITTEE
PRESS RELEASE TEXT

CHAIRPERSON DAVID BRAZIL OF THE BELL ISLAND FERRY USERS COMMITTEE IS PLEASED TO REPORT ON A VERY CONSTRUCTIVE AND ENCOURAGING MEETING HELD ON BELL ISLAND ON JANUARY 19,2004 WITH TRANSPORTATION MINISTER RIDEOUT, MHA MINISTER WHALEN AND THE COMMITTEE EXECUTIVE.

WITH THE ECONOMIC SURVIVAL OF BELL ISLAND FULLY DEPENDENT UPON AN AFFORDABLE, EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT FERRY SERVICE, THE COMMITTEE WAS OPTIMISTIC THAT THE NEW GOVERNMENT, WITH ITS PROACTIVE ECONOMIC AGENDA THAT A COMMITMENT TO A LONG OVERDUE FERRY REPLACEMENT POLICY WOULD BE A HIGH PRIORITY.

BELL ISLAND'S COMMUTER FERRY SERVICE CARRIES 50% OF THE TRAFFIC ON ALL 16 INTRA-PROVINCIAL FERRY SERVICES WITH 450,000 PASSENGERS AND 225,000 VEHICLES CARRIED ANNUALLY.

OVER 6OO OF BELL ISLAND'S EMPLOYED WORKFORCE OF 850 ARE DIRECTLY DEPENDENT ON THE FERRY SERVICE TO MAINTAIN THEIR JOBS.

THE SERVICE IS THE LIFELINE FOR THE TOURISM INDUSTRY AND CRITICAL TO THE CONTINUING SUCCESS OF THE WORLD CLASS BELL ISLAND MINE TOUR, WHICH HOSTED OVER 15,000, TOURISM VISITS IN 2003.





SEVERAL SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES WERE ADDRESSED.

v INVESTMENT IN THECONSTRUCTION OF A NEW 28 CAR FERRY

Minister Rideout advised the Committee that construction of a new 28-car swing ferry continued to be a high priority for government in 2004.
The Minister indicated that he would be presenting for Cabinet consideration in the near future an action plan aimed at the commencement of construction of a new ferry to replace the aged Hamilton Sound.
The Minister described new ferry construction as an urgent infrastructure priority that had to be addressed. The PC 2003 Blue Policy Book had earlier committed to launching a ferry replacement program.
Chairperson David Brazil expressed significant optimism that Government would issue the green light in the very near future to initiate construction of a desperately needed new ferry construction program. He noted that there had been a 15-year moratorium by the previous Liberal Government on constructing new ferries.

v PRESERVATION OF 2 FERRY VESSEL SCHEDULE AND SERVICE

TWO VESSEL SERVICE: The Committee emphasized to the Minister the importance to Bell Island's economy and the maintenance of 600 employed Bell Islanders whose jobs hinged on the provision of an affordable, effective and efficient ferry service. Government's maintenance of the current service level and continued investment in the ferry service was stressed.
The Minister indicated a full understanding of the importance to maintain the current service levels as the foundation of maintaining and growing Bell Island's economy and the protection and growing of jobs. The success of the fish plant processing operation on Bell Island, the growth of new small businesses and the emerging growth of the tourism industry, especially the submarine mine tour which had over 15,000 tourism visitors in 2003, was emphasised and understood.
Resultant from the meeting, the Committee was highly confident of the support of Minister Rideout and Minister Whalen to preserve the current 2- vessel ferry service year round.

EARLY MORNING SERVICE: The Committee presented a strong case for the continuance for 2 extra morning trips in the 2-vessel ferry service to address lack of capacity weekday mornings.
The Minister agreed to take under consideration a request for the long-term continuance of this essential coverage.

v CAPITAL FUNDING TO COMPLETE THE BELL ISLAND DOCKS

Minister Rideout advised the Committee that its request for an estimated $700,000 capital investment funding to complete the final phase of the Bell Island Dock rehabilitation had been submitted by his Department as a priority for funding consideration in the 2004 capital budget process.

Chairperson Brazil expressed the Committee's optimism that the Ministers fully understood that an effective, efficient and affordable ferry service best served the mutual best interests of Bell Islanders and Government itself and was crucial to the growth and preservation of Bell Island's economic and employment levels.
The Committee will be also making a presentation to Minister Sullivan's pre- budget meeting on January 27th.