The Official Saint John, NB Project Thread

[ErickMontreal]

According to the Telegraph Journal, MSC will double their visits at the Port of Saint John due to an increase in term of demand from the Port clients.

[homebody]

It looks as though Pascan"s plans for flights to Quebec and Newfoundland will never get off the ground. The airports website does not show any arrivals and departures for Sept 17, which was the start of the schedule. Pascan's website removed Saint John from it's list of destinations. No real suprise though considering the destinations.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by homebody

It looks as though Pascan"s plans for flights to Quebec and Newfoundland will never get off the ground. The airports website does not show any arrivals and departures for Sept 17, which was the start of the schedule. Pascan's website removed Saint John from it's list of destinations. No real suprise though considering the destinations.

I don't think it was a fit for the airport - just setting ourselves up for another failure at the airport. The airport should focus on improving existing services like getting business class to Toronto our landing West Jet's new regional service.

It's curious their advertising campaign extolling the savings by using your local airport - however its simply not the case. Long term parking fees were recently hiked, taxis are now almost $40 after tip. They also talk of convenience and not having to drive to Bangor. However the target audience for that message are vacationers south of border and Bangor is much more convenient even with 3 hour drive. I would rather spend that time driving then spending that time wandering Pearson or Trudeau airports and not have to use airport USA preclearance. Also coming back to YSJ through Toronto or Montreal, most times you arrive at 11:30 PM or midnight whereas you can land in Bangor anytime from noon to supper hour so you can get home at a decent time.

Our most recent trip to Florida we drove and parked at Moncton airport - even with drive it was so much better flying to Newark and direct to Florida. Arrived home here at a decent hour and parking was $75 for the week - what we would spend on taxis in SJ.

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Our most recent trip to Florida we drove and parked at Moncton airport - even with drive it was so much better flying to Newark and direct to Florida. Arrived home here at a decent hour and parking was $75 for the week - what we would spend on taxis in SJ.

Not to sort of poke in your side, but how much was gas to and from Moncton?

Also, can someone here tell me what's so difficult about making Simms Corner a four-way intersection with lights? I think that'd be easier than a roundabout in the area.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by GregHickman

Not to sort of poke in your side, but how much was gas to and from Moncton?

Also, can someone here tell me what's so difficult about making Simms Corner a four-way intersection with lights? I think that'd be easier than a roundabout in the area.

Gas was slightly less than the connecting passenger facility charge for one person at YUL or YYZ and there are two of us so we saved money in that respect too.

[ErickMontreal]

Next Up For Coast Guard Site: Redevelopment

Saint John Waterfront Development is down to the stretch when it comes to the future redevelopment of the Coast Guard site adjacent to Market Square where the sculptures were done.

General Manager Kent McIntyre tells CHSJ News a company was hired to search the globe in the quest to find a developer and Waterfront Development was presented with a list of 20 that has been gradually whittled down to one.

McIntyre expects to go before Common Council in the next few weeks.
___________________________________________________________________

Port Of Saint John Strengthening International Ties

The Port of Saint John is strengthening it's international ties as part of its renewal strategy by trying to establishing a sister port relationship with the Port of Caucedo in the Dominican Republic.

Port Chair Stephen Campbell tells CHSJ news reps from the government and port went to Caucedo to ratify a letter of intent between the two organizations. He says it's a great alliance to have considering Caucedo is a key transhipment port that many carriers pass through before being shipped globally.

Earlier this spring the port started doing business with the global container shipping line MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company).

A formal sister port agreement is set to be signed in November.

Posted by CHSJ News at 12:55 PM

[Helladog]

Originally Posted by thefishingnut

I noticed though, that coming over the Harbour Bridge the wall facing the bridge is pretty hideous since it looks like a single uninterrupted concrete slab. Even if they leave the front alone I think they have to do something with the side facing the bridge.

I noticed that too. Not a well thought out design from all angles.

[Helladog]

More of the garage from yesterday...

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by ErickMontreal

[FONT="Arial"]Next Up For Coast Guard Site: Redevelopment

Saint John Waterfront Development is down to the stretch when it comes to the future redevelopment of the Coast Guard site adjacent to Market Square where the sculptures were done.

General Manager Kent McIntyre tells CHSJ News a company was hired to search the globe in the quest to find a developer and Waterfront Development was presented with a list of 20 that has been gradually whittled down to one.

McIntyre expects to go before Common Council in the next few weeks.

That is excellent. So they have found a developer... but have they found a design? What is the maximum floor count/height in that area? The old proposal was three 12 storey buildings right?

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

I don't think it was a fit for the airport - just setting ourselves up for another failure at the airport. The airport should focus on improving existing services like getting business class to Toronto our landing West Jet's new regional service.

It's curious their advertising campaign extolling the savings by using your local airport - however its simply not the case. Long term parking fees were recently hiked, taxis are now almost $40 after tip. They also talk of convenience and not having to drive to Bangor. However the target audience for that message are vacationers south of border and Bangor is much more convenient even with 3 hour drive. I would rather spend that time driving then spending that time wandering Pearson or Trudeau airports and not have to use airport USA preclearance. Also coming back to YSJ through Toronto or Montreal, most times you arrive at 11:30 PM or midnight whereas you can land in Bangor anytime from noon to supper hour so you can get home at a decent time.

Our most recent trip to Florida we drove and parked at Moncton airport - even with drive it was so much better flying to Newark and direct to Florida. Arrived home here at a decent hour and parking was $75 for the week - what we would spend on taxis in SJ.

Ummmm..... not sure this is accurate.

Why is connecting through Newark easier than connecting through Toronto or Montreal which both have direct flights to Florida and US customs?

Also, there is only one daily departure to Newark that leaves at 6AM which means you are leaving Saint John at 3:30 in the morning. The only flight returning to Moncton from Newark gets in close to midnight. This hardly seems convenient. I can fly from Saint John in the middle of the day and be there by dinner time and vice versa return.

I understand if folks are willing to spend time driving to Bangor to save $$ but it is certainly not more convenient.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

Ummmm..... not sure this is accurate.

Why is connecting through Newark easier than connecting through Toronto or Montreal which both have direct flights to Florida and US customs?

Also, there is only one daily departure to Newark that leaves at 6AM which means you are leaving Saint John at 3:30 in the morning. The only flight returning to Moncton from Newark gets in close to midnight. This hardly seems convenient. I can fly from Saint John in the middle of the day and be there by dinner time and vice versa return.

I understand if folks are willing to spend time driving to Bangor to save $$ but it is certainly not more convenient.

Connecting through Newark is easier because I can get in at a decent hour as opposed to arriving midnight in Saint John. Also going to my destination I am there in the morning as opposed to afternoon. I can assure you my return flight from Newark arrives in Moncton around 7:50 unless they changed the schedule in the last 72 hours. My personal circumstances require me to drive to Penobsquis prior to each trip therefore Moncton is same distance as SJ and I prefer the early morning flight, whether it be YSJ or YQM. IMO Bangor is more convenient compared to connecting YYZ or YUL plus my fare is $325 compared to $650 out of YSJ.

[nwalbert]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

Connecting through Newark is easier because I can get in at a decent hour as opposed to arriving midnight in Saint John. Also going to my destination I am there in the morning as opposed to afternoon. I can assure you my return flight from Newark arrives in Moncton around 7:50 unless they changed the schedule in the last 72 hours. My personal circumstances require me to drive to Penobsquis prior to each trip therefore Moncton is same distance as SJ and I prefer the early morning flight, whether it be YSJ or YQM. IMO Bangor is more convenient compared to connecting YYZ or YUL plus my fare is $325 compared to $650 out of YSJ.

I do about 150 flights a year so unfortunately know the schedules all too well.

There is no advantage to the Newark flight at all for the average traveler. In fact I much prefer flying through Toronto/Montreal as they are both nicer airports, offer the same destinations (YYZ anyway) and offer much friendlier flight times to/from NB.

The connection times are the same and you can choose to arrive at your destination early in the morning if you choose either route. Have you looked at the schedules? There is a 5:30AM to YYZ that will get you anywhere Newak will at the same time.

Not sure if the scheduled changed or not but only a late night return from Newark exists.

Like I said, Bangor can save you $$, but none of this is convenient. We need a central airport similar to Halifax to gain enough mass to have hourly flights to YYZ, drop Newark all together. Then we would be talking.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by nwalbert

I do about 150 flights a year so unfortunately know the schedules all too well.

There is no advantage to the Newark flight at all for the average traveler. In fact I much prefer flying through Toronto/Montreal as they are both nicer airports, offer the same destinations (YYZ anyway) and offer much friendlier flight times to/from NB.

The connection times are the same and you can choose to arrive at your destination early in the morning if you choose either route. Have you looked at the schedules? There is a 5:30AM to YYZ that will get you anywhere Newak will at the same time.

Not sure if the scheduled changed or not but only a late night return from Newark exists.

Like I said, Bangor can save you $$, but none of this is convenient. We need a central airport similar to Halifax to gain enough mass to have hourly flights to YYZ, drop Newark all together. Then we would be talking.

Newark works best for me based on my preferences for leisure travel. I understand it wouldn't be for everyone else. For work I use YSJ - for that it is more convenient As for BGR, for at least 25,000 PAX (according to YSJ) price trumps convenience. Kinda inconvenient paying 50% more for a ticket though.
YSJ is kinda dealt a bad hand due to fees, taxes and surcharges, location and lack of competition - that combo leads to leakage of passengers.
Central airport would never happen - it should have been built in the 1950's. One runway alone with taxi ways will run you at least $350,000,000 and thats on flat land, let alone terminal cost.

Ultimately I would like to see a new transportation authority responsible for port, airport, transit, taxis and parking with one marketing department. Partner with viable business plans as opposed to these Pascan type ventures that are bound to fail.

[cdnguys]

Interesting tidbit from yourmoney.ca
Area Code E2H is the 7th richest area code in Canada with an average personal net worth of $764,000
(Rothesay)

Although Irving may skew it a bit I'm sure

[DreDay]

You think you are saving $ flying out of BGR, but when you consider fuel, long term parking, food, adding 4 hours to your trip each way, and keeping your money within Canada, I'd choose Canadian airport fees/taxes.

[cdnguys]

Originally Posted by DreDay

You think you are saving $ flying out of BGR, but when you consider fuel, long term parking, food, adding 4 hours to your trip each way, and keeping your money within Canada, I'd choose Canadian airport fees/taxes.

All things considered, BGR is a lot cheaper and with our Preferred destination trip is shorter. As for keeping money in Canada I don't feel more patriotic spending $400 more per person to Air Canada

[RR Drummer]

Originally Posted by cdnguys

All things considered, BGR is a lot cheaper and with our Preferred destination trip is shorter. As for keeping money in Canada I don't feel more patriotic spending $400 more per person to Air Canada

I'm not a frequent flier by no means, in fact I prefer to drive when at all possible. 1 day, 2 days + makes no matter. No phobeas just cheap (frugal sounds nicer), at any rate I like going places for the lowest possible cost. Price trumps when it's a significant difference. For arguements sake say $200 or more per ticket saving will always have me going elsewhere. $100 per ticket not so much. I've enjoyed the conversation, both sides have merits and justified reasoning behind them. The combination of services is a great idea.

[Ire Narissis]

Can we all just agree that it'd be nice to see the airport grow and improve to a point that driving to Moncton or Bangor wouldn't even be worth considering?

[JHikka]

Originally Posted by Ire Narissis

Quispamsis: "Challenge accepted."

Well...

Originally Posted by CHSJ News

Public Concerns Halt Potential Apartment Buildings

A public hearing at Quispam Council showing strength in numbers... a proposal to build two twelve unit apartment buildings at 309 Hampton Road being rejected at Council after a mixed vote and hearing public concerns.

Multiple residents voiced their concerns about losing privacy, increased traffic, and noise if the area changed from residential to multiple residential.

Ray McCaskill lives across from the proposed location. He tells CHSJ news they're not against growth, just not in that area on Hampton Road. He says a lot of people moved in that area because it was residential and adding the apartment buildings would turn it more commercial.

Quispamsis Council listened to both the developer, Murray Thompson Homes, and residents. Mayor Murray Driscoll says at the end of the day most of council felt it wasn't fit for the property, with three Councillors for and five against.

http://country94news.blogspot.ca/2012/09/public-concerns-halt-potential.html

[JHikka]

Another fire building on Victoria Street has been torn down. That makes four this year on Victoria alone.