APTA boss suggests privatized Marine Atlantic
DIEPPE, N.B. — Marine Atlantic’s latest fuel-induced rate hike has some Atlantic truckers wondering aloud if things would be better of the Port Aux Basques-North Sydney service were privatized.
In an interview with the Chronicle Herald, Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association Executive Director Peter Nelson said these days he’s confused of what Marine Atlantic is supposed to be.
” .. is Marine Atlantic an extension of the Trans-Canada Highway or is it a private enterprise or is it a Crown corporation?” he asked the newspaper rhetorically.
He said if the service were privatized like other businesses it would enable free market options like volume pricing. Nelson insists the time has come for Marine Atlantic to be able to offer rate discounts depending on demand from trucking carriers.
Mr. Nelson said the trucking association has also sent a letter to the Prime Minister’s Office complaining of the short notice the industry received about the latest increase.
The ferry says it spent about $25 million in fuel last year and it expects that number will jump by another $500,000 during 2007.
— from the Chronicle Herald
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