Ramp up Bell Island ferry service with new vessel urges Opposition

Roland Butler, MHA for the District of Port de Grave and Opposition Critic for Transportation, says the   Bell Island ferry service deserves a top spot in the government’s vessel replacement strategy and he is calling upon government to invest unused ferry money in a new vessel for the run.

Butler challenged the minister of Transportation and Works in the Legislature yesterday to ensure the Bell Island to Portugal Cove ferry route was given priority to enhance its dependability for users. The government’s 2006 Vessel Replacement Strategy identified Bell Island as a priority for a vessel replacement since it was justified for economic reasons. 

“Here we are four years later and we learn in this year’s Estimates Committee that Bell Island is no where near the top of the priority list,” says Butler. “How can government justify de-prioritizing a ferry route utilized by 500-600 commuters per day and one that is affected by so many disruptions?”

The MHA points out that the money allocated by government towards its Vessel Replacement Strategy and the money actually spent might explain why the ferry fleet and service in this province is so poor. 

“For instance, in 2007, the budget allocated $15 million for the construction of two ferries. The Consolidated Revenue Fund Report indicates that the amount spent was only $492, 715.  Again, in Budget 2008, only $9,446,153 was actually spent of the $33.9 Million allocated.   As it appears, over two years $49 Million went into the strategy and government only used $10 Million of that amount.

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