More ferries at special rate when airport closes

The Saba government has arranged additional ferry service to and from St. Maarten during the four-week closure of the Juan Yrausquin Airport in September and October, at a special price.

Residents of Saba and visitors will be able to choose between three ferry services, Dawn II, Big B and Edge and pay US $20 for a one-way ticket during the pe­riod that the runway is closed. A round-trip ticket will cost US $40. Both prices are excluding the pas­senger departure fees. The ferries will travel to and from Saba twice daily.

The airport will be closed from Monday, September 10, until Tuesday, October 9, due to the extensive renovation of the run­way. On September 10, the air­port will close at 7:00pm to allow for the last flight of that day to depart, while on October 9, the airport will re-open at 6:00am to receive the first flight.

The Public Entity Saba sent a message to local businesses ear­lier this week to apprise them of the cooperation established with the ferry companies regarding scheduling and pricing. This to ensure accessibility to Saba while the runway renovation takes place.

The departure locations on St. Maarten are: Dawn Il at the Dock Maarten Marina in Great Bay, Edge at the dock at the Simpson Bay Police Sta­tion, and Big B at the dock at Bobby’s Marina, Philips­burg.

Tickets can be purchased for Dawn 11 via www.sabactransport.com , for Edge via www.seasaba.com or www.stmaarten-activities. corn and Big B via www.sabactransport.com or www.greatbayferry.com.

In the mornings, from Monday through Sunday, Dawn II will leave Saba for St. Maarten at 8:30. On Monday, Tuesday, Wednes­day and Friday mornings Edge will leave St. Maarten for Saba at 9:00. On Thurs­day, Saturday and Sunday mornings, Big B will depart St. Maarten for Saba at 7:45.

In the afternoons, on Monday, Tuesday. Wednesday and Friday, Edge will depart Saba for St. Maarten at 3:30. On Thursday, Sat­urday and Sunday after­noons, this crossing will be carried out by Big B at 4:00. Dawn II will carry out the afternoon service from St. Maarten to Saba route dai­ly, departing at 4:30.

The complete runway ren­ovation is a major opera­tion. Contractor Windward Roads during the four-week closure will replace the current asphalt layer with concrete. New mark­ings will also be placed.

Between August 6 and 22, a test surface will be laid, which will include a heli­copter platform behind the current platform.

Car parking options at the airport have been limited due to the construction ac­tivities and from August 6, no parking will be allowed. A kiss-and-ride location will remain available. The gov­ernment is working on creat­ing additional parking spaces across from the current park­ing, parallel to the second so­lar park of the Saba Electric Company (SEC).

The Daily Herald.