Collenette sees ferry problems first-hand

NORTH SYDNEY (Aug. 5, 1999) — Federal Transport Minister David Collenette had plenty of time to mingle with tourists and truckers yesterday: he had to wait in line to board the Caribou ferry for a day-crossing to Port Aux Basques, Nfld.

Collenette was on a fact-finding mission to determine whether another vessel is needed, following repeated complaints from truckers who have to wait up to 12 hours before they get across the gulf. He will meet with officials from Marine Atlantic, which manages the ferry service, today.

There are two passenger ferry crossings each day across the 90-kilometre stretch between North Sydney and Port Aux Basques. Marine Atlantic’s Atlantic Freighter also crosses once a day with trucks and cargo.

Newfoundland government officials have long complained that the current fleet is inadequate to handle commercial and tourist traffic between the island and the mainland, and are pressing Ottawa to pay for an additional ferry.