New Pilot Bus Service to Offer Customer Access to Downtown Port aux Basques
St. John's, NL - Through continued co-operation, consultation and effort, the Town of Channel-Port aux Basques is pleased to join Marine Atlantic and the Port aux Basques and Area Chamber of Commerce in announcing a pilot project partnership that will offer Marine Atlantic customers downtown access this summer season. Through this partnership, a free bus service will be offered to Marine Atlantic customers who wish to visit the Scott's Cove downtown area.
Between June and September, the roundtrip bus service will depart from the Marine Atlantic terminal and transport customers to Scott's Cove Park. The service will be available to passengers travelling on the 2345 hours evening ferry, with the schedule to be finalized in the coming weeks. Schedule modifications will be made through the season based upon usage and feedback.
"Council firmly believes this will be a great opportunity for the local vendors who occupy the kiosks during the thirteen week tourism season at the park," said Acting Mayor Todd Strickland. "This initiative will play a significant role in revitalizing Scott's Cove Park and the downtown business community."
"Marine Atlantic is pleased to partner with the Town of Channel-Port aux Basques and the Chamber of Commerce in offering our customers the opportunity to visit the downtown area," said Paul Griffin, Marine Atlantic's President and CEO. "Through our positive working relationships with the town and Chamber of Commerce, these types of creative solutions have been developed that will benefit both our customers and downtown businesses. I want to thank the mayor, council and business representatives for their hard work in making this pilot project a reality for the summer season."
Downtown businesses are encouraged to prepare in the weeks ahead for this upcoming service and possible ways to create new opportunities for customers and their businesses. The pilot project will provide thousands of Marine Atlantic customers with the option of visiting the downtown area. Following the summer season, results from the service will be reviewed to determine next steps and options for the future.
-30-
Media Contact:
Darrell Mercer
Corporate Communications
[email protected]
O: (709) 772-0073
C: (709) 727-2405
Todd Strickland
Deputy and Acting Mayor
Town of Channel Port aux Basques
O: (709) 695-2214
C: (709) 695-1995