NLIS 5
April 22, 2005
(Transportation and Works)
 

Minister announces MV Apollo will begin season early

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced that the MV Apollo will begin its season on Tuesday, April 26. The Apollo, which runs between St. Barbe, Newfoundland and Blanc Sablon, Quebec, was previously scheduled to begin service on May 1. The vessel will be leaving St. John�s Saturday morning.

Minister Rideout said, "Our government has heard the calls of the residents of the south coast of Labrador. They have requested that the Apollo begin its run immediately. Today, officials in my department have notified the contractor of our request to have the Apollo resume operations as soon as possible.

"It is our understanding that the there is very little ice in the Strait of Belle Isle, " said Minister Rideout. "This, coupled with the anticipation that the road between Red Bay and Lodge Bay will open tomorrow, has given us reason to have the Apollo resume its regular schedule early."

Paul Shelley, Minister responsible for Labrador Affairs, said that having the Apollo resume operations earlier this year is good news for residents in Labrador and the tourism industry. "As the Minister responsible for Labrador Affairs, I am pleased that we are able, as a government, to start the ferry season earlier this year," said Minister Shelley. "This demonstrates government�s continued commitment to addressing the concerns of the residents of Labrador."

"Our government is cognizant of the need to have this vital transportation link re-established for residents and businesses on the northern peninsula and the south coast of Labrador," said Minister Rideout. "The concerns of the residents of Labrador are of the utmost importance to our government. We will continue to pay attention to these concerns."

The Apollo has been operating between St. Barbe and Blanc Sablon since 2000. A copy of the schedule for the Apollo is available at: //www.gov.nl.ca/FerryServices/schedules/J-apollo.stm

Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, ABC, Communications, (709) 729-3015, 690-8403

2005 04 22                                                             3:00 p.m.


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