No. H026/11
For release - March 17, 2011
OTTAWA — The Honourable Peter Mackay, Minister of National Defence; the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs; the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport); and Rob Crosbie, chair of the board of directors of Marine Atlantic, today announced that Marine Atlantic will once again honour the Canadian Forces with a special appreciation fare.
The reduced fare will be available to current military personnel, veterans and up to three companions per reservation for travel from May 1 to October 31, 2011. Marine Atlantic first launched this discounted travel fare in 2009, and it has been well received.
The Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2011 will provide Canadian Forces members and veterans with free passenger fare on the Port aux Basques-North Sydney ferry route. Additionally, members will receive a 50-per-cent discount on their passenger fare when travelling on the Argentia-North Sydney ferry service. Up to three companions travelling in the same vehicle and on the same reservation will also receive the discount.
“Our government is very pleased to partner with Marine Atlantic in this very worthwhile initiative,” said Minister Merrifield. “With the arrival of Marine Atlantic’s newest vessels and their link to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia’s military heritage, it only seems fitting that we once again provide our military personnel with this worthwhile offer.”
“I am proud to be a part of a government that recognizes the efforts of our military personnel, veterans and their families through this appreciation fare,” said Minister MacKay. “Making it easier for the Canadian Forces to travel the country they defend and protect is a small reflection of our gratitude for their hard work and efforts, both at home and abroad.”
“It is important to recognize our military veterans with these types of opportunities and provide them with the ability to travel to the different regions of our country at a reduced cost,” said Minister Blackburn. “We will always be thankful for their years of service to our country and its citizens.”
“As we honour our military past with the introduction of our newest vessels, the MV Blue Puttees and MV Highlanders, we also want to recognize our current military personnel who stand proud for our country throughout the world each and every day,” said Mr. Crosbie. “Our Canadian Forces are ambassadors who represent us on the international stage and they deserve this small token of our appreciation during their travels. We have received significant positive feedback on this initiative, and I am pleased we can offer it again during our 2011 travel season.”
This promotion will provide individuals with a wide range of opportunities to travel to and from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Marine Atlantic will designate a number of spaces on each crossing for the Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2011. Once spaces are filled on a particular crossing, reservation staff will provide information on the next available crossing. For reservations, please call 1-800-341-7981.
The fare is not available through online booking. The Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2011is available on new and existing reservations. Members of the military and veterans may book anytime during the promotional period by presenting required identification. Normal fares will apply to the vehicle itself for Argentia-North Sydney, as well as Port aux Basques-North Sydney ferry services.
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Marine Atlantic provides an essential transportation service between Newfoundland and Labrador, and the mainland of Canada.
The Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2011 will be available to qualified individuals from May 1 to October 31, 2011. It is available on Marine Atlantic’s Port aux Basques-North Sydney and Argentia-North Sydney ferry services, and will be applied to new reservations and existing reservations for individuals who qualify. Members of the Canadian Forces may book this travel as often as they wish during the promotional period. As there is a limited number of spaces available on each sailing under this promotion, people are encouraged to book early to reserve the crossing of their choice.
Eligibility
For the purpose of this promotion Canadian Forces personnel are defined as active or retired members of the army, navy, air force or reserves.
An eligible individual must possess one of the following pieces of identification at the time of booking a reservation and must also present it at the time of travel:
- an identification card for the Department of National Defence (cards NDI 20, NDI 30, NDI 50,
DND 2262);
- a Record of Service Card (NDI 75 or CF-75) or certificate of discharge (together with photo identification) for retired military; or
- a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Benefit Card for veterans.
The Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2011 is designed to thank current and past members of our armed forces by providing them with a discount when travelling for personal reasons. Therefore, to qualify individuals must be travelling either in a personal vehicle or as walk-on customers. This discount is not provided in conjunction with other special fares such as group rates.
Travel period and space limitation under this promotion
The Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2011 will be in effect for travel that occurs from May 1 until October 31, 2011. There are no blackout crossings and every crossing during this period provides space for the Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2011. However, due to limited space on vessels under this promotion, especially during the peak summer season, there is a maximum number of vehicle spaces allocated for each crossing. Therefore, it is important that individuals book early to get the discount on their preferred crossing.
Details of the special fares
Port aux Basques-North Sydney ferry service
Members of the Canadian Forces, plus up to three additional persons travelling in the same vehicle on the same reservation, are entitled to complimentary passenger travel on the Port aux Basques-North Sydney ferry service. Please note vehicle fares are not included in this promotion.
Members of the Canadian Forces travelling without a vehicle are entitled to complimentary travel on the Port aux Basques-North Sydney ferry service, provided they book in advance.
Argentia-North Sydney ferry service
Members of the Canadian Forces, plus up to three additional persons travelling in the same vehicle on the same reservation, are entitled to travel at a discount of 50 per cent off passenger fare on the Argentia-North Sydney ferry service. Please note vehicle fares are not included in this promotion.
Members of the Canadian Forces travelling without a vehicle are entitled to travel at a discount of 50 per cent off the passenger fare on the Argentia-North Sydney ferry service, provided they book in advance.
Onboard ferry services such as animal kennels and cabins are not included in this promotion.
Booking a reservation
Marine Atlantic requires a reservation to travel on all of its vessels. To book this special promotion, current or former members of the Canadian Forces should:
- telephone Marine Atlantic’s reservation line at 1-800-341-7981 (this special fare is not available through the online reservations system); and
- request the Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2011 at the time of booking.
The primary individual on the reservation must be a qualified member of the Canadian Forces (not necessarily the driver of the vehicle). At the time of making the reservation, the Canadian Forces member must provide the identification number located on one of the accepted forms of identification.
Please note: Customers reserving under this fare will be subject to all of Marine Atlantic’s travel and change policies.
At time of travel
As proof of entitlement, upon check-in, the primary individual on the reservation will be required to present the same form of identification as used when reserving the ticket.
Please note: If proper identification is not presented at check-in, then the reservation will be modified and the customer(s) will be required to pay the regular fare.
March 2011
