November 26
(Works, Services and Transportation)

The following is being distributed at the request of Marine Atlantic:

Marine Atlantic releases preliminary 2000 schedule

Marine Atlantic has announced a preliminary partial schedule for next year's ferry services to and from Newfoundland.

The company is acting in response to concerns from the tourist industry, in particular the motorcoach tour sector, says acting CEO Darrell Weaver.

"We have been authorized by the minister of transport to begin a search for an additional ship to begin service in the year 2000," Mr. Weaver said. "However, until we are certain of the exact configuration of our future fleet, it is not possible to finalize complete schedule details. This core schedule, however, will allow tour operators to develop their itineraries."

Mr. Weaver said more sailings would be added once the company's corporate plan receives final approval, and availability of the additional ferry has been confirmed.

The core summer schedule released today is virtually identical to that operated in July and August last year, and is based on the two existing superferries. The additional peak season crossings will be determined by the capabilities of the third passenger ship to be acquired.

This preliminary schedule does make provision for enhanced frequency of service during the winter months, and in early June and late September. Both these changes involve using MV Caribou and MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood.

The reservation bureau expects to be accepting bookings by late December.

"Marine Atlantic is looking forward to a continuation of strong traffic growth over the next several years," Mr. Weaver predicted. "We hope that the additional passenger ship will be ready to join our fleet by next spring, giving us the capability to meet the demands of the new millennium with a ferry service of superior quality."

Media contact: Ted Bartlett, Director Public Relations, (506) 851-3611.

1999 11 26 4:10 p.m.