Truck driver Chris MacKenzie said those warnings didn’t specify a loss of shower facilities. He was therefore taken by surprise when he showed up at the terminal on Nov. 21 to find the showers closed.
“I didn’t stop to have a shower because I knew there would be showers at the terminal,” said Mr. MacKenzie. “You’re always rushing to get to the boat. As I was getting here I heard on the CB radio the showers were closed.”
He said once in the parking lot, he saw many other truck drivers heading inside with their kit bags. He stopped anyone he could to let them know.
“I thought it was kind of inhumane what they do to the truck drivers down here,” he said. “It’s $613.33 one way for the boat What I don’t understand is why they didn’t get a one-piece shower (as a temporary replacement).”
Marine Atlantic Spokesman Darrell Mercer said the shower shutdown is just a temporary measure until January. The work is scheduled to be complete early in the new year.
“We certainly recognize that there is an inconvenience and we apologize to our customers for that inconvenience.”
When the work is complete, the Port aux Basques terminal will have a new commercial driver’s lounge specifically for truckers. The new showers will be located there, instead of in the public washrooms because truck drivers are the primary shower users.
Marine Atlantic has been sending out weekly renovations updates to it’s major commercial customers. He said those emails may not have reached every truck company, but the information is also available on the Marine Atlantic Website.
Mr. MacKenzie said he will be making other arrangements on his next trip to the island.
