Acadian Lines Applies to Amend Routes and Services

Acadian Intercity Coaches LP and Acadian Coach Lines LP have applied to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board to amend services on several of its routes.

The companies are asking for route and schedule changes as follows:

Route 2 (Halifax-Moncton-Fredericton-Riviere-du-Loup)

• due to low customer demand, it is proposed that trip 19 from Halifax to Moncton and trip 18 from Moncton to Truro be permanently discontinued;
• various minor departure and arrival time changes for certain trips.

Route 5 (Moncton-Amherst-Charlottetown)

• it is proposed that trip 54 will be via Amherst and operate as a local run;
• various minor departure and arrival time changes for certain trips.

Route 6 (Halifax-Truro-Sydney)

• trip 61 Halifax to Antigonish to be added daily;
• trip 68 Antigonish to Halifax to be added daily;
• due to low customer demand, it is proposed that the current flag stop at Port Hastings be discontinued on all trips;
• various minor departure and arrival time changes for certain trips.

Route 7 (Halifax-Kentville-Digby)

• currently Church Point is serviced by a taxi company to reach Digby, at which point Acadian services the customers from Digby. Due to very low customer demand, it is proposed that service to Church Point be discontinued;
• currently Halifax to Kentville is serviced twice a day plus three times a day on Mondays and Fridays. Due to reduced demand, it is proposed that the additional service on Mondays be discontinued;
• various minor departure and arrival time changes for certain trips.

This hearing will be held by the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board concurrently with a hearing of the New Brunswick Board of Commissioners of Public Utilities on Wednesday, Oct. 19, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The hearing will be held in the Municipal Council Chambers, 110 Main St., Sackville, N.B.

Earlier this year, concurrent hearings of the two boards were held in Amherst, N.S., respecting another application by the same carriers.

Anyone wishing to present evidence or to cross-examine witnesses must file notice with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board no later than Wednesday, Oct. 12.

The board will conduct telephone conference calls with anyone wishing to make comments who is unable to attend the hearing in New Brunswick. Conference calls must be arranged by Wednesday, Oct. 12. Nova Scotians can make these arrangements by contacting the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board at 902-424-4448 and providing their name and telephone number. Long distance charges will be the responsibility of Acadian.

Anyone wishing to make comments about the proposed amendments may also do so by forwarding a letter to: Clerk of the Board, Box 1692, Unit M, Halifax, N.S. B3J 3S3; by e-mail to uarb.board@gov.ns.ca ; by fax at 902-424-3919 or by calling the clerk at 902-424-4448.

Further information about the proposed amendments can be obtained from:

• the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, public passenger division, 902-424-3588;
• the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board clerk's office, 902-424-4448
• John Stringer, McInnes Cooper 902-424-1361 or e-mail at: john.stringer@mcinnescooper.com .