Deputy mayor wants improved bus line service

Stephenville's deputy mayor wants an improved service from DRL Coachlines and he wants it now.

Deputy Mayor Mike Tobin spoke to the issue at a recent meeting of Stephenville council, saying he received several calls from residents complaining about trying to send packages on the bus.

In the past, DRL Coachlines had an onsite vendor at its Stephenville Airport stop to accommodate incoming and outgoing packages. Because they no longer have a contract with a vendor to do this service for them, customers have to either be at the airport when a bus is coming or leaving, or drive to the Steel Mountain Ultramar in order to get a package on the bus.

"Generally they're advised by the driver I guess and the attendant on the bus to take the package out to the Ultramar on the Trans Canada Highway ... about 25 km from here," says the Deputy Mayor.

"I guess it has to do with processing ... it's really a great inconvenience for the citizens of Stephenville but the Port au Port peninsula as well."

The Deputy Mayor asked town manager Barry Coates to make contact with DRL about the situation and as Mr. Tobin understood it, a solution was being worked on last week.

Jason Roberts, manager of DRL Coachlines in the province said it has been difficult for the company to find an onsite vendor that is available to perform the service they need.

"We get into Stephenville approximately 7 p.m. in the evening and there's not a real lot of people that is open to do this business for you at that time," he told the Georgian.

"Right now I am in discussions with a business. We're talking in good spirits on them carrying this business out for us. Their hours of operation coincide with what we need to do this in a reasonable manner."

Mr. Roberts says while the company is working to correct the issue, people should remember that couriering packages is a service that DRL doesn't have to provide, but an add on to its passenger service.

"If I can get this person to work this out we will get it back in because there is a little bit of business there in Stephenville."

reporter@thegeorgian.ca