Canadian ferry operator aims to boost operational processes and cater for more passengers
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Marine Atlantic opened its new CAN$20 million ferry terminal in North Sydney in Nova Scotia, Canada, on 2 June.
Developed with CAN$521 million funding as part of the Canadian government’s Budget 2010, the new terminal building will help Marine Atlantic to cater for more passengers and improve operational processes. It was constructed using sustainable design practices and solutions, in an effort to achieve the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) standard.
“This is a great day for Marine Atlantic as we open our new terminal building, with the many benefits it will offer our customers, and prepare to move forward with our new funding investment,” said Walter Pelley, a member of Marine Atlantic’s board of directors. “These investments will continue to strengthen our service and the contribution we make to the Atlantic Canadian economy.”
It is hoped that the terminal will also continue to improve customer satisfaction rates and on-time performance, which have increased by almost 20% and 90% respectively since the start of Marine Atlantic’s renewal process in 2010.
“We are very proud of our service and what we have accomplished over the past five years during our renewal process,” said Paul Griffin, president and CEO of Marine Atlantic. “The upgrades we are making today reinforce the importance of our service, which has operated between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia for the past 117 years. By working together with the local community, our employees and business partners, our momentum and service will continue to improve for our customers.”
Canada’s government recently revealed it would provide around CAN$375 million to enable Marine Atlantic to continue renewing its services as part of Budget 2015. This will enable the ferry operator to purchase Blue Puttees and Highlanders from Stena and continue serving customers travelling between Port aux Basques in New Foundland and Labrador and North Sydney in Nova Scotia.
“The government of Canada is proud to support the renewal of Marine Atlantic’s fleet and shore-based facilities such as the new North Sydney Terminal,” said the Honourable Lisa Raitt, Minister of Transport. “By investing in organisations such as Marine Atlantic, we are helping to maintain the connections between the communities and economies of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador.”