Two local residents are trying to get an accurate count of how many people on the southwest coast regularly travel back and forth to the mainland for work.
Businessman Bob Byrnes and Stephenville Councillor Don Gibbon have teamed up for this project.
“We know there are a few hundred people from the area working in Alberta and travelling back and forth on a regular basis,” said Mr. Byrnes. “We would like to compile an accurate list of these frequent travellers and provide it to the board of directors of the Stephenville Airport Corporation.”
The hope is that the corporation could then use these statistics to try and get an airline to provide a Stephenville to Halifax connection.
While a number of people have already contacted Mr. Gibbon and Mr. Byrnes, the two men are encouraging people to notify their friends or family members currently commuting back and forth to the mainland for work to get in touch with them.
“We would like to compile an accurate list of these frequent travellers and provide it to the board of directors of the Stephenville Airport Corporation.” - Bob Byrnes
Mr. Byrnes can be contacted at rbyrnes nf.sympatico.ca, while Mr. Gibbon can be reached at d.gibbon nf.sympatico.ca or by calling 643-3282.
“We know there are people who also routinely travel for holidays and business trips from the area, which would be a bonus for any airline considering to provide air service to and from Stephenville airport and mainland Canada,” Mr. Bynes said.
