The river shuttles have been back in service for several weeks now. For a short stroll on the river, or to avoid traffic, they bring passengers to their safe port. They connect Boucherville to Old Montreal, Bellerive Park in eastern Montreal, and the Boucherville Islands, as well as Varennes and Longueuil to Old Montreal.
According to a survey conducted last year by the Regional Metropolitan Transport Authority (ARTM), without the existence of shuttles, nearly 40% of trips would be made by car.
A free service that plays tricks
The season has barely begun and we are already noticing a craze, especially for the connection between the Yvon-Julien quay in Boucherville and the one at the Promenade-Bellerive park, whose departures are often “full”.
This route was implemented in the summer of 2022 to mitigate the major impacts of the repair work on the Louis-Hippolyte-La Fontaine bridge-tunnel on car traffic.
However, “there are people who reserve a place and who do not show up. This is due to the fact that this connection is free. This has an impact on attendance,” laments Marie Flouriot, from Croisières Narvak.
This link is used more by “tourists” than by workers who wish to go to Boucherville or the metropolis without using their car.
Until October 27, the Montreal-Mercier/Boucherville connection, lasting 30 minutes, is offered every day, from 6 a.m. to 10:15 p.m.
Two more departures to the Old Port of Montreal
The popularity of the Vieux-Port-Boucherville line is also beyond doubt, so much so that the City of Boucherville announced last week that it was adding two more departures on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The season has barely begun and already there is a craze. (Photo: Courtesy)
These new departures are offered until September 2 from the Jacques-Cartier quay towards Boucherville at 8:45 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; and from the Yvon-Julien quay in Boucherville towards the Old Port of Montreal at 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
This service improvement is financed by the City, which explains in a press release that it wants to allow citizens to better enjoy the summer activities offered in the evening at the Old Port of Montreal.
All journeys linking Boucherville to Montreal are financed by the ARTM with the exception of these additional departures. The City will assume 100% of the additional costs, for an amount amounting to $35,826 before taxes, indicates the head of department, Communications Department, Julie Charron.
Towards the islands
The river shuttle which connects Boucherville to Île Grobois allows you to discover the Îles-de-Boucherville national park and its campsite. Please note that a right of access to Sépaq is necessary. In service until September 2, every day of the week, and weekends until October 13.
It is the City of Boucherville which pays for the connection with Grosbois Island. The contract signed for 2024 with Navark amounts to $179,100, before taxes.
Old Port/Pointe-aux-Trembles – Varennes
Since last summer, Varennois have been able to travel to Montreal by water. The river connection stops at the Old Port of Montreal and at Pointe-aux-Trembles, departing from Parc de la Commune. The trip takes 50 minutes. Every day until October 27.
The services of these four routes are provided by Croisières Navark. Timetables and prices are available via the ARTM or on the Narvak website.
Old Port, Sainte-Hélène Island and Longueuil
These lines are operated by Croisières AML.
Departures from Longueuil are made from the Longueuil marina, located near Marie-Victorin Park. Other departures are from Quai Jacques-Cartier in Montreal, from Parc Jean-Drapeau to Île Sainte-Hélène. Tickets are available on the Navettes fluviales de Montréal website.
In addition, the N6 line connects Montréal-Mercier (park platform on Promenade Bellerive) to Île Charron (Quai Nord). This connection is offered by Croisières Narvak.
A 65% increase
River shuttles are becoming more and more popular, year after year, says Ms. Flouriot. Ridership in 2023 (for six connections) confirms this. It reached a record with more than 422,000 crossings, compared to 256,000 for the year 2022.
A sum of $21 million from the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility and the ARTM is planned for the 2020-2025 period to support the operation of river shuttles.
