January 28, 1999
(Works, Services and Transportation)

Minister comments on statements regarding Bell Island Ferry Service

Rick Woodford, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, has categorically denied statements by the New Democratic Party to the effect that three rate increases were planned this year for the Bell Island ferry service.

Mr. Woodford said the statements are completely false and erroneous.

The minister said he was at a loss to understand why the NDP would make such an alarming and misleading statement. He said the NDP obviously did not make any attempt whatsoever - to obtain the correct information either from his department or from the Bell Island Ferry Users Committee.

"The NDP claims to be aware of correspondence which suggests that the Department of Works, Services and Transportation was planning three increases this year and a total of five increases," Mr. Woodford said. "This statement is absolutely incorrect. As minister responsible for the department, I, nor any of my officials are aware of the existence of any such correspondence. It simply does not exist."

Mr. Woodford said a scheduled rate increase was deferred until the end of March of 1999 at the request of the Bell Island Ferry Users Committee who asked for additional time to see if they could identify savings that would offset the need to increase the rates.

"In fact, the Bell Island Ferry Users Committee engaged a consultant to undertake a study with a view to identifying cost savings," said Mr. Woodford. "I am at a loss to understand why the NDP did not contact my office or the users committee before issuing such a damaging statement."

The minister said it was totally inaccurate for the NDP to suggest that for a period of time on Wednesday there were no ferry services available to Bell Island commuters.

Mr. Woodford said the department spent a quarter of a million dollars on repairs to the Beaumont Hamel but that in spite of these expenditures the department was still experiencing some problems on a sporadic basis.

"Rather than have the commuters to and from Bell Island stranded without any service, the department made the decision to mobilize two smaller ferries, the Sound of Islay and the Hamilton Sound," Mr. Woodford said. "These vessels were strategically located to go into service if problems were encountered with the Beaumont Hamel."

Mr. Woodford issued a statement yesterday announcing an immediate freeze on intra-provincial ferry rates. He said no scheduled rate increases will occur until a complete review of the ferry rate policy and structure has been completed.

Media contact: Gary Callahan, (709) 729-3015.

1999 01 28 12:10 p.m.