ST. JOHN’S, Nfld. – Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works released the schedule for the 2005 Labrador Marine Coastal Service. This year the schedule is available earlier than any previous year, in order to better serve those who depend on the ferry service.

“People and businesses rely on the Labrador marine service as a basic and vital piece of provincial infrastructure,” said Rideout. “Our government will continue to develop the economy by effectively utilizing our transportation resources, including the Labrador Marine Service.

The government’s vision for the Labrador coastal marine service is to ensure convenient and cost-effective transportation for the region. This release of the schedule provides residents and businesses with the most benefits possible.

The decision to reconfigure the service in 2004 brought stability to the coastal marine service and provided certainty for the people that depend on it, said Rideout. The continuation of established supplier relationships, as residents of central, western and northern Labrador requested, were maintained in the 2004 shipping season. The schedule for the MV Sir Robert Bond is available at: www.gov.nl.ca/FerryServices/schedules/I-goosebay-cartwright.stm

A copy of the schedule for the MV Northern Ranger is available at www.gov.nl.ca/FerryServices/schedules/H-goosebay-nain.stm

A copy of the schedule for the MV Apollo is available at: www.gov.nl.ca/FerryServices/schedules/J-apollo.stm

The MV Challenge One schedule is available at: www.gov.nl.ca/FerryServices/schedules/G-charlottetown-porthopesimpson.stm