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. |