Amendments made to schedule for Sir Robert Bond

Jim Walsh, Minister of Works, Services and Transportation, Wally Andersen, Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, and Yvonne Jones, MHA for Cartwright - L�Anse au Clair, announced today, effective immediately, the M/V Sir Robert Bond will increase its service to two round trips per week between Cartwright and Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Each round trip between Cartwright and Happy Valley-Goose Bay will be a night crossing with arrival and departure times at Cartwright that provide the opportunity for passengers to connect with the M/V Apollo on the Strait of Belle Isle ferry service.

The Bond will also provide one return trip per week between Cartwright and Lewisporte in order to better serve the freight needs of residents of the north coast of Labrador. As a result, this will allow the M/V Trans Gulf to significantly increase its turnaround time to the north coast in preparation for the winter season.

"I am pleased the Bond schedule has been changed to better serve Labrador�s transportation needs," said Minister Walsh. "With this schedule change, residents of the north coast can look forward to receiving increased shipments of freight and there will be a significant increase in travel opportunities for passengers wishing to also use the Strait of Belle Isle ferry service."

Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Wally Andersen said the change in the schedule will result in an improved freight service for residents on the north coast of Labrador. "With the winter season fast approaching, it is imperative that measures be taken to ensure residents on the north coast are able to obtain freight as quickly and as efficiently as possible," he said. "The increase in service will provide communities on the north coast with a supply of goods while, at the same time, maintaining a quality marine service to all regions of Labrador."

Yvonne Jones, MHA for Cartwright - L�Anse au Clair and Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture said, "The amount of traffic between Cartwright and Happy Valley-Goose Bay for both freight and passengers warrants the additional crossing for this fall. The people in this region have co-operated with government to allow the Bond to make a few trips between Cartwright and Lewisporte in order to transport freight that will be north coast bound. The Bond will drop the north coast freight at Cartwright and have it transhipped before the end of the shipping season."

For additional information on departure and arrival times, please call 1-866-535-2567.

Media contact:

Lynn Evans, Works, Services and Transportation (709) 729-3015
Bert Pomeroy, Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs (709) 896-8668
Cynthia Layden-Barron, Fisheries and Aquaculture (709) 729-3733

2003 09 19                                       4:00 p.m.