Eastern Quebec ferry docked indefinitely, passengers offered flights until Christmas
CBC News | Posted: December 20, 2018 12:53 AM | Last Updated: December 20, 2018
F.-A.-Gauthier has capacity to transport 500 people per trip
A ferry linking towns in eastern Quebec is out of service indefinitely due to technical problems. Passengers are being offered flights instead in the lead-up to Christmas.
The F.-A.-Gauthier Ferry has been docked since Monday as the provincial ferry service — Société des traversiers (STQ) — investigated the problem.
"It's an unfortunate situation that's come about at a really bad time," acting STQ CEO François Bertrand said.
Flights are being offered to passengers up until Dec. 24. The ferry service is advising passengers to book a seat on the chartered aircraft ahead of time.
The STQ is promising to offer more information about the post-Christmas period shortly.
As of Jan. 8, another ferry will be put in service to take over the F.-A.-Gauthier Ferry route until it is fixed.
The F.-A.-Gauthier Ferry transports 500 people per trip between Matane and Baie-Comeau, and Matane and Godbout.
The STQ was hoping to have the ferry back in operation by Christmas Eve, but the service announced Thursday that won't happen.