FREDERICTON (CNB) – The MV Grand Manan will make extra crossings between Grand Manan and Blacks Harbour while the main vessel, the Grand Manan V, remains in drydock.
In addition, trucks and other commercial vehicles will receive priority boarding on the MV Grand Manan. Passengers who have medical appointments or other important business will continue to receive priority boarding.
Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Claude Williams announced these measures today.
"Since the Grand Manan V was taken out of service on May 18, we have been focused on how we can meet the needs of the community, including the challenges facing businesses on the island," said Williams. "Today, we are announcing initiatives that we will put in place until the regular ferry returns to service on June 11."
Beginning Sunday, May 29:
Each run of the MV Grand Manan (except the 7:30 a.m. departure from North Head and the 5:30 p.m. departure from Blacks Harbour) will have a dedicated lane for commercial traffic. Transport trucks and other commercial vehicles will receive priority boarding in the centre lane.
Beginning Monday, May 30:
Service will increase to six runs a day, on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays – peak travel days for commercial traffic. This move is in response to the shipping needs identified by businesses while the Grand Manan V is out of service.
Priority boarding:
Passengers who must leave the island because of medical appointments or other urgent business will continue to receive priority boarding. They should identify themselves as priority customers to Coastal Transport Ltd. staff when they buy their tickets.
Other measures under consideration:
“The Department of Transportation is continuing to look at all other options for a second vessel," said Williams. "We are faced with challenges in securing a vessel that satisfies the technical requirements of a crossing such as this, but we will review every option that may be available to us."
For further information on the updated schedule of the Grand Manan ferry service, contact Coastal Transport Ltd. at 506-662-3724 or go online.
LINK:
● Coastal Transport Ltd.: www.coastaltransport.ca
27-05-11