Hearing to Consider Increased Bus Passenger Rates

UTILITY/REVIEW BOARD--Hearing to Consider Increased Bus Passenger Rates

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board will hear an application by Acadian Lines Limited and S.M.T. (Eastern) Limited to increase their passenger rates. The companies want to add about five per cent per trip and to provide for a 15 per cent administrative charge on all refunded tickets. The increases would apply to scheduled services from all points. Under the proposal, Acadian Lines rates, not including HST, would increase as follows:

• an increase to 13.9 cents per kilometre from 13.2 cents for the first 250 kilometres;
• an increase to 12.2 cents per kilometre from 11.6 cents for each additional kilometre; and
• an increase in the minimum charge to $5 from $4.75.

These increases are necessary because of increased operating costs. A copy of the proposed rates may be requested by contacting the board's Public Passenger Division.

The hearing is scheduled for Thursday, June 27, at 9 a.m. in the board's offices on the third floor of Summit Place, 1601 Lower Water St., Halifax.

The hearing is open to the public.

Anyone who wishes to present evidence or cross-examine witnesses must notify the board by June 20.

Anyone who wishes to comment on the proposed changes can do so by writing to the clerk of the board at Box 1692, Unit M, Halifax, N.S., B3J 3S3; by e-mail to [email protected] ; by fax to 902- 424-3919; or by calling 902-424-4448.

More information about the proposed amendments is available from the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, Public Passenger Division, 902-424-3588 or the clerk's office, 902-424-4448. Information can also be obtained from Acadian Lines Limited at 1161 Hollis St., Halifax, N.S., B3H 2P6, phone 902-454-9321 or 1- 800-567-5151; or from S.M.T. (Eastern) Limited at 100 Midland Drive, Dieppe, N.B., E1A 6X4, phone 1-800-567-5151.