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Marine Atlantic brings back its gimmick fare again for the CF but with a notable change as highlighted.....
Marine Atlantic to again honour Canadian Forces with discounted travel
February 20, 2010
Sydney, Nova Scotia - Wayne Follett, President and CEO of Marine Atlantic, with Canada’s Transport Minister, John Baird, today announced that Marine Atlantic will once again honour Canada’s Canadian Forces personnel, veterans and up to three companions with a special appreciation fare from May 1 to October 31, 2010. Marine Atlantic launched this initiative for the first time last year, which was a huge success.
“The Government of Canada is proud of the work of our Canadian Forces and the contributions made by our veterans,” said Baird. “We are pleased that Marine Atlantic Inc. is once again honouring members of the Canadian Forces and their families by providing discounted travel opportunities to and from Newfoundland and Labrador.”
“This special fare between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland is a great way to say “thank you” to current and retired members of the Canadian Forces,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence.
"Marine Atlantic’s offer is one more way we can repay the great debt that all Canadians owe to the brave men and women who have always been willing to defend our nation," said the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs.
The Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2010 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% 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.
“We received a very positive response from our Canadian Forces and veterans who benefitted from the appreciation fare last year. By announcing the fare much earlier this year we hope to provide those interested with additional time to make their travel plans,” said Mr. Follett. “The 2010 appreciation fare provides for availability on every crossing during the six month travel period which is an improvement over last year’s promotion where some crossings were not available for any bookings under the appreciation fare. However, it is still important that individuals book early to get the discount on their preferred crossing.”
This promotion will provide individuals with a wide range of opportunities to travel to and from the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Due to space limitations on the vessels, especially during July and August, there are restrictions on the number of spaces available for the Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2010. To reserve under this Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2010 beginning on Monday, March 1, 2010, please call 1-800-341-7981. The fare is not available through online booking. The Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2010 is 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.
Media Contact:
Tara Laing
Communications
Telephone: 709.772.8974
Email: tlaing@marine-atlantic.ca
Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2010
Marine Atlantic provides an essential transportation service between Newfoundland and Labrador and the mainland portion of Canada.
The Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2010 will be available to qualified individuals from May 1 to October 31, 2010. It is available on both of 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 limited space available under this program, people are encouraged to book early.
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:
◦ID Cards for the Department of National Defence (Cards: NDI 20, NDI 30, NDI 50, DND 2262);
◦Record of Service Card (NDI 75 or CF-75) or certificate of discharge (together with photo identification) for retired military; or
◦Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Benefit Card for veterans.
The Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2010 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 (PRV) or as a walk-on customer. This discount is not provided in conjunction with other special fares such as group rates.
Travel period and space limitation
The Canadian Forces Appreciation Fare 2010 will be in effect for travel that occurs from May 1 until October 31, 2010. Blackout crossings have been removed this year and every crossing during this period provides space for the Military Appreciation Fare 2010. However, due to limited space on vessels, 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% 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 entitled to travel at a discount of 50% off passenger fare on the Argentia/North Sydney ferry service provided they book in advance.
Booking a reservation
Marine Atlantic requires a reservation to travel on all of its vessels. To book this special promotion beginning on Monday, March 1, 2010, current or former members of the Canadian Forces should:
◦Telephone Marine Atlantic’s reservations line at: 1-800-341-7981. (This special fare is not available through our online reservations system.); and
◦Request the Canadians Forces Appreciation Fare 2010 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 utilized when reserving the ticket.
Please Note: If proper identification is not presented at check-in, then the reservation will be modified and customer(s) will be required to pay regular fare.