Hilaire Journeault, who did not want to give a formal interview, however, fears that the operations will not be profitable with the current price of gasoline.
He says fares will go up, $50 to $60 one way, per car. Also, he intends to reduce the cruising speed of the ship. The journey time will increase as a result and could go from 60 to 90 minutes.
But above all, we have to find a chief mechanic in the meantime, says Mr. Journeault, specifying that the labor shortage is an issue to consider.
He adds that after the feast of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, the schedule could be improved and go from two to three crossings per day.
The owner of the CNM Evolution intends to make the crossings until mid-September.
Sigh of relief
Regardless of the business model adopted by the private promoter CNM Évolution, the Rimouski-Neigette Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIRN) is delighted with the news. However, the Board of Trade would like the Government of Quebec to help the promoter ensure the sustainability of the service.
The president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Guillaume Sirois, believes that the crossbar is essential. We compare ourselves with the crossing in Matane which is public. And we compare Rimouski, with the economy we have, to a regional capital of Bas-Saint-Laurent. So we have to be able to have transport and service infrastructures that are adequate
explains Mr. Sirois in an interview.
Guillaume Sirois, President of the Rimouski-Neigette Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Photo: Radio-Canada / Alain Fournier
Guillaume Sirois maintains that traders, the tourist industry and hoteliers had expressed their fear to the CCIRN in the face of the possible absence of crosses this summer. The CCIRN estimates that the ferry generates economic benefits of $4 million per year and that 30,000 and 40,000 users use the ferry annually.
The mayor of Forestville wants more predictability
The Mayor of Forestville, Micheline Anctil, is obviously in favor of the ship’s return, but wants the service to be reliable for years to come.
We need to stabilize that service with some longer-term predictability. So in the short term the service can be provided and in the longer term we are still working on this level.
The Mayor of Forestville, Micheline Anctil and the Director General of the Haute-Côte-Nord Chamber of Commerce, Carol Girard. (Archives)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Benoit Jobin
Micheline Anctil also indicates that repair work at the Forestville wharf is planned for this fall, which could shorten the period of operation of the CNM Evolution vessel.
Work will begin in late summer or early fall. This is the date that we will specify to all our users, including the CNM Evolution. You will understand that when the work is about to begin, it will not be able to moor at the wharf.
The precise date of the start of the work remains to be determined by the contractor who will be selected by the City.
Micheline Anctil adds that the Rimouski-Forestville ferry is a need for tourist customers, but also for citizens.
The owner of the CNM Evolution intends to operate until mid-September.
Photo: Radio-Canada / Jean-Luc Blanchet
The steps of the SOPER and the EDF
A call for interest was launched on February 2 by the Société de promotion économique de Rimouski (SOPER) and the Forestville Economics and Development Society (EDF) in order to find a shipowner. It was then hoped that the selected promoter could be in office as early as April.
At least five shipowners had shown an interest in mid-February according to the SOPER. The goal was then to ensure the long-term sustainability of services at the crossing.
The SOPER declined to comment.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca