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 more effectively 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 of Labrador. This early release of the ferry schedule will provide the residents and businesses of the region with the most benefits possible from this service.

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.

“Our government has made several small but positive changes to the Labrador Marine Coastal Service throughout the year. We’ve increased the passenger allocation on the Sir Robert Bond, announced additional runs on the MV Apollo, and added a cooler on the MV Northern Ranger for the transport of fresh produce and milk. The new freezer was particularly well received by the residents on the north coast. These initiatives were carried out to meet the needs of the people in Labrador.”

A copy of 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

A copy of the schedule for the MV Challenge One is available at:
www.gov.nl.ca/FerryServices/schedules/G-charlottetown-porthopesimpson.stm