Customers using the Labrador Marine Service will experience a series of improvements this year.

The Honourable John Hickey, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, today released an enhanced schedule for the 2007 Labrador Marine Coastal Service.

"All walks of life, from tourists to the business sector, are dependent on these ferries," said Minister Hickey. "And I�m happy to say this government has upgraded the service and continued our recent trend of releasing the schedule earlier than it had been in the past."

Some of the highlights of the new schedule include:

The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation says early release of the revamped schedule will have a positive impact on the tourism industry. "Labrador is a unique part of the province and anything this government does to improve access to the region is great news," he said. "The early release of the schedule is of significant benefit to tourists who can immediately begin summer travel plans."

Myles O�Brien, a member of the Minister�s Advisory Committee on Labrador Transportation, helped develop the new schedule and is particularly pleased to see the implementation of non-refundable deposits on Apollo bookings. He says it will make for a more efficient service.

"In reviewing the Apollo ferry service, one of the biggest issues that came to light was the general practice by people to double-book but often not use the space," said Mr. O�Brien. "Non-refundable deposits should help ensure more accurate bookings."

A copy of the provincial ferry schedules is available at www.gov.nl.ca/tw/ferryservices/schedules.stm

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