The catamaran-type ferry, CNM Evolution, will resume its service between Rimouski and Forestville as of June 2.
Last year the owner of the catamaran, Hilaire Journeault, decided not to offer the service, after a year in deficit. However, he confirms that his company will offer the service again this summer, even if he still plans to operate at a loss.
He intends to reduce the speed of the catamaran to save on fuel costs.
The service will be offered seven days a week, with two round trips in June and three in July and August.
The team has been working on the boat for almost a month to carry out the necessary repairs and the catamaran will be launched this Friday.
Expected financial support
In recent years, work totaling nearly $500,000 has been carried out on the CNM Evolution. The latter were paid in part by the financial assistance granted by the Ministère des Transports.
However, the owner still wants support to help finance his operations, help he is still waiting for.
This return to service is being done at the same time as the project of the Société de la promotion économique de Rimouski (SOPER) and the Société d’économie et de Développement de Forestville (SEDF), which have launched a call for tenders to try to ensure long-term service for this ferry, which is essential to the economy of the two cities.
The two companies confirm that the files are still under study.
Reference-www.journaldequebec.com