Eastern Quebec ferry docked indefinitely, passengers offered flights until Christmas

A ferry linking towns in eastern Quebec is out of service indefinitelydue totechnical 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 Socit des traversiers (STQ) investigatedthe problem.

"It's an unfortunate situation that's come about at a really bad time," acting STQCEO Franois Bertrand said.

Flights are being offered to passengersup untilDec. 24.The ferry service is advisingpassengers to book a seaton 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 theF.-A.-GauthierFerry route until it is fixed.

TheF.-A.-GauthierFerry transports 500 people per trip betweenMataneand 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.