Transportation and Works
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
December 21, 2009
Province Offering Additional Travel Services to Benefit
Labrador Communities
The Williams Government
is once again offering assistance to stranded residents
of Williams Harbour and Norman Bay, Labrador. Additional
runs have also been added to the schedule of the ferry
M/V Apollo.
�We recognize that since
the seasonal ferry service has ended in Williams Harbour
and Norman Bay, and the ice conditions are too poor for
residents to travel via snowmobile, that these
communities are essentially cut-off,� said the
Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and
Works. �That is why, effective immediately, our
government is putting in place measures to ensure
residents are no longer stranded.�
For residents of Williams
Harbour, the Provincial Government will once again pay
50 per cent of the cost of commercial airline travel
between Williams Harbour and Port Hope Simpson, once a
week. This subsidy will end as soon as ice conditions
allow snowmobile travel to commence and is in addition
to the existing Williams Harbour Air Transportation
Subsidy offered through the Department of Labrador and
Aboriginal Affairs.
In Norman Bay, a
helicopter service has been put in place for today
(December 21) and tomorrow (December 22). If ice
conditions do not improve enough for snowmobile travel
next week, the helicopter service will be arranged for
another two days during that week.
�This government
recognizes the importance of maintaining essential and
effective transportation links for people throughout
Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly those living in
remote and isolated communities who are especially
challenged at this time of year," said the Honourable
John Hickey, Minister of Labrador Affairs. "We are
pleased to be responding, once again, to the
transportation needs of Labradorians.�
The Department of
Transportation and Works has also added extra departures
for the M/V Apollo ferry service during the holiday
season. The first extra run from Blanc Sablon to St.
Barbe was yesterday. Additional runs will take place
December 23, 27 and January 3. These departures have
been added to the reservation system and are available
to book on-line at
www.labradormarine.com or by calling 1-866-535-2567.
�We are happy to have
added runs to the schedule of the M/V Apollo,�
said Minister Hedderson. �These extra sailings will make
for a more enjoyable and convenient experience for those
travelling during the busy festive season.�
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Media
contacts:
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca |
John
Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
709-729-1674, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca |
2009 12 21
9:55 p.m.
|