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February 11, 2004
TENTATIVE REPORT-BELL ISLAND FERRY USERS COMMITTEE: The public will note that the second vessel service has been extended to
the early mornings with trips from Bell Island by the second ferry( Beaumont
Hamel or Hamilton Sound at 820 am and 920 am. Currently this service is
being offered on a trial basis and the greater numbers of people using the
service will increase our case to retain the service. The weekday midnight service (Sunday to Thursday nights only) has been
suspended on a short term basis for the winter months as part of the
arrangement to be able to offer the early morning second vessel service. 3. COMMUTER RATES AND PASSES: All eligible commuters should now have their new winter 2004 pass. This
must be displayed to be allowed access to the priority line-up and in future
without the pass the pursers are not authorized to sell lower price commuter
tickets and this policy will be strictly enforced. Commuters are encouraged
to purchase the advance booklet of tickets which will help speed up the
selling of tickets and ferry turnaround times. 4. STATUS OF NEW FERRY CONSTRUCTION: The Committee is optimistic of a favourable decision by Government in the
next few months that will see authorization granted to commence construction
of a new 28 car and 160 passenger ferry to replace the aged Hamilton Sound. The Committee has been advised that the Beaumont Hamel will depart in
early March for its annual refit and then it will likely travel for a period
to Fogo Island to allow their ferry to complete its refit. In that event the
Beaumont Hamel will be replaced by the Hamilton Sound for the next several
months. Let us hope we have no Arctic ice. 5 year phased in slight adjustments: The Committee successfully lobbied
the PC Party to include in their 2003 policy book a commitment to set ferry
rates based on the equivalent cost to travel the same distance by road with
a continuation of discounts on that rate for frequent commuter users and
seniors. The PC Blue Book contains a commitment to phase in rate adjustments
over the next 5 years. This policy when implemented should see ferry rates
continue to be stable and close to current rates. Mostly slight decreased
rates would be expected on the Bell Island service especially for seniors.
Government will likely indicate in its 2004 Budget Speech if it intends to
commence the 5 year phase in this year or whether it could be deferred to
start in 2005. 7. FUNDING TO COMPLETE BELL ISLAND FERRY DOCKS: The Committee has requested capital funding of $700,000 in Budget 2004 to
complete the rehabilitation of these docks. 8. ACTIVATION OF THE NEW ELECTRONIC SIGNS: Despite many long delays we are advised that the signs will be
operational shortly. ED KENT-CONSULTANT
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