Rivière-du-Loup-Saint-Siméon Ferry
 Saint-Siméon terminal | |
| Locale | Saint Lawrence River, Quebec, Canada |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Saint Lawrence River |
| Transit type | Passenger and vehicle ferry |
| Owner | Société des traversiers du Québec |
| Operator | La Traverse Rivière-du-Loup–Saint-Siméon Ltée |
| Began operation | 1909 |
| No. of lines | 1 |
| No. of vessels | 1 (Trans-St-Laurent) |
| No. of terminals | 2 (Rivière-du-Loup, Saint-Siméon) |
| Yearly ridership | 82,629 passengers (2020-2021) |
| Website | Official website |
The Rivière-du-Loup–Saint-Siméon ferry service operates across the Saint Lawrence River in Quebec, connecting the Bas-Saint-Laurent and Charlevoix regions. It is managed in partnership by La Traverse Rivière-du-Loup–Saint-Siméon Ltée and the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ), which handles the terminal infrastructures. The crossing provides a crucial link for both tourists and local residents.
History
[edit]The origins of this ferry route date back to 1909 when the Trans-Saint-Laurent Company was founded by Malcolm Fraser, the mayor of Fraserville (now Rivière-du-Loup), and J.-Camille Pouliot.[1] The first ship, the SS Contest, began service on June 24, 1909, connecting Rivière-du-Loup with Saint-Siméon and other municipalities on the north shore.[2] Over the years, the ferry service expanded with new vessels such as the SS Mahone and the SS Rhoda.[2] In 1940, the service was officially named La Traverse Rivière-du-Loup–Saint-Siméon Ltée, after the company ceased operations to Tadoussac.[1][2]
In 1963, the ferry Trans-St-Laurent was introduced to accommodate growing demand, capable of transporting 100 vehicles and 380 passengers per trip.[1][2] The ferry remains in service.
Operations
[edit]The ferry covers a distance of 27 kilometres (17 mi), with an average crossing time of 65 minutes.[3] It operates seasonally from April to January and is designated as an essential service by the government of Quebec.[1] The ferry crosses the Saint Lawrence River, often offering passengers views of marine wildlife, including whales.
Modern developments
[edit]In 1993, the ferry terminal infrastructure came under the jurisdiction of the Société des traversiers du Québec, which now manages both terminals at Rivière-du-Loup and Saint-Siméon.[1] The ferry service has seen multiple upgrades over the years, including dock renovations in 2010 and the construction of new facilities in 2011 to improve safety and efficiency.[1] Recent years have also seen efforts to minimize the environmental impact of ferry operations, especially in areas affecting local whale populations.[1]
Significance
[edit]The ferry service plays a vital role in regional tourism, linking the mountainous landscapes of Charlevoix with the scenic Bas-Saint-Laurent. By ferry, the crossing spans 27 kilometres and takes about 65 minutes, providing a much shorter and faster route compared to the 391-kilometre (243 mi) drive on land, which can take up to five hours.[1] The ferry offers a convenient route for tourists exploring both sides of the river, as well as a necessary passage for local residents. Each year, the ferry transports thousands of vehicles and passengers, contributing to the local economies of both regions.[2]
Potential relocation debate
[edit]In recent years, discussions have emerged about relocating the Rivière-du-Loup–Saint-Siméon ferry to Gros-Cacouna due to significant cost differences. Studies from the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) indicate that maintaining the current terminal at Rivière-du-Loup could cost up to 700 million CAD, more than double the cost of relocating to Gros-Cacouna, where dredging would be less frequent.[4][5]
Mayor Mario Bastille of Rivière-du-Loup opposes the move due to economic and logistical concerns.[4][5] In addition, many residents have mobilized to keep the ferry in Rivière-du-Loup, viewing it as essential to the community's identity and economy.[6] A petition was launched, highlighting the ferry's historical and cultural significance, with the region relying on it for nearly 115 years.[6] Environmental groups have also voiced concerns about Gros-Cacouna’s proximity to a beluga whale habitat, fearing the impact of increased maritime traffic and noise pollution.[4]
The ferry service will continue to operate from Rivière-du-Loup until January 2028.[7] The STQ extended its contract with Clarke, ensuring operations until the end of the 2027 season. However, the Québec government has yet to decide whether the ferry's long-term port will remain in Rivière-du-Loup or move to Cacouna, with both locations facing logistical challenges, including dredging in Rivière-du-Loup and the need for new infrastructure in Cacouna.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g h Portés par 50 ans d'histoire [Carried by 50 years of history] (in Canadian French). Québec: Société des Traversiers du Québec (STQ). 2021. pp. 158–169. ISBN 978-2-550-91728-1.
- ^ a b c d e Ouellet, Jeannine (2010). "Cent ans de navigation entre Rivière-du-Loup et la rive nord" (PDF). Histoire Québec (in Canadian French). 16 (2): 29–34. ISSN 1201-4710 – via Érudit.
- ^ "Informations pratiques" [Practical Information]. Traverse Rivière-du-Loup-Saint-Siméon (in Canadian French). 22 February 2016. Archived from the original on 2024-07-20. Retrieved 2024-10-15.
- ^ a b c Shields, Alexandre (2024-01-18). "Déménagement en vue pour le traversier de Rivière-du-Loup". Le Devoir (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2024-10-15.
- ^ a b Beaudoin, Édouard (2023-12-21). "Traversier : près de 700 M$ pour maintenir le service à Rivière-du-Loup". Radio-Canada (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2024-10-15.
- ^ a b Paquin, Marc-Antoine (2024-02-16). "Une nouvelle pétition pour le maintien de la traverse à Rivière-du-Loup". infodimanche.com (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2024-10-15.
- ^ Beaudoin, Édouard (2024-10-15). "La traverse restera à Rivière-du-Loup au moins jusqu'en 2028". Radio-Canada (in Canadian French). Retrieved 2024-10-15.