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About us

History

The Société was created June 4, 1971 to provide a ferry service between Québec and Lévis that the private enterprise could no longer offer. With the passing years, the operation of other private ferries, doomed to failure if the Québec Government did not take charge of them, were transferred to the Société. The STQ thus becomes responsible for two new ferries in 1976: Matane–Baie-Comeau–Godbout and L’Isle-aux-Coudres–Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive. In 1978, the Sorel-Tracy–Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola joins the Société’s network. Finally in 1980, the Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine Ferry, crossing the Saguenay River and linking two sections of Route 138, joins also the network. The five ferries presented thus far are in operation all year round, whatever the season.

In the course of following years, the Québec Government entrusts the Société with the responsibility of the operation contract management of three other ferries in partnership with the private enterprise.  These ferries, because they are seasonal, are in service eight to nine months per year according to the rigors of winter. In 1981, the L’Isle-aux-Grues–Montmagny Ferry joins the STQ’s network, followed in 1993 by the Rivière-du-Loup–Saint-Siméon and l’île-d’Entrée–Cap-aux-Meules Ferries.

In 1993, the STQ also takes charge of some quays and terminals.

Since then, the STQ renovated and built fluvial terminals, developed boarding areas and repaired quays. In 2000, the STQ became responsible for the management and upkeep of ten new quays where it already provided ferry services.

Our Mission

Contribute to the mobility of people and goods by ensuring safe, reliable and efficient marine transportation services favoring Québec’s sustainable development.

To carry out its mission, the Société can rely on responsible, capable and motivated persons, its 500 employees, whose commitment is passengers’ safety and satisfaction. 

Who Uses the Ferry Services?

To cross out of necessity

Ferries linking islands to dry lands have for main objective the free movement of islanders from their residence on the island to the shore where they go to work, shop, amuse themselves or to obtain different public services.

By taking the Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine Ferry, continuation of Route 138, Côte-Nord residents avoid the 2-hour detour driving by Chicoutimi.

Following an order in Council, the following ferries are free for all passengers and vehicles:

• L’Isle-aux-Grues–Montmagny

• L’Isle-aux-Coudres–Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive

• Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine

To cross for work

In the surveys carried out by the STQ, work is one of the reasons often mentioned as the object of moving around. Workers coming from different fields appreciate the presence of ferries that make them save time and fuel, and give them few minutes or hours’ rest during their journey.

At the Québec-Lévis ferry, passengers are mostly persons working as civil servants, in private offices or in the tourist industry. They opt for a crossing on foot, as parking lots and public transport networks are available by the fluvial terminals. 

Many trucks carrying materials of the primary and secondary industries use our services. The Sorel-Tracy–Saint-Ignace-de-Loyola ferries often transport trucks full of seeds during the harvest season. As for the Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine ferry, many trucks take turns day and night to supply regions located further east with goods.

At the Matane–Baie-Comeau-Godbout ferry, the Société’s flagship M.V. Camille-Marcoux is regularly loaded with trucks of different sizes containing timber, iron, cement, milk, meat, fish, food for Labrador and heavy equipment for the industry or the construction of roads.

The free movement of goods favored by the presence of STQ ferries spurs the regions’ economic development. Moreover, the Société is an important employer in the regions. The maintenance, repair and building contracts of its substructure contribute as well to the local economy.


To cross for pleasure

Boarding a ship is a special experience, whatever the season. Though most of the Québec population still lives not far from the St-Lawrence River banks, few people move on the river. The STQ’s customer base statistics show that half of our customers regularly take the ferries, while other passengers make their crossing a stage during their annual visit in Québec.

The Société’s ferries are essential for the regions’ tourist activities it serves. The zero fare for some ferries or fares within everyone’s pocket encourage visitors to plan their journey without retracing their steps. Heading for new destinations, these visitors become new customers for the local shopkeepers.

"Take the ferry" as visitors say is not sensed as a mode of transportation, but as an activity in itself.

Employees proud of their ferries

The STQ takes a pride in the excellent condition of the eleven ferries in its fleet. Although some of the ships are getting on, the quality of maintenance they received with the passing years allows the planning of further years of service. The Société can rely on an internal team of experts specialized in different disciplines to ensure a rigorous follow-up of the ships’ maintenance program.

Security on board has always been the Société’s priority. Whether it is the climatic conditions that hold up navigation, or popular events that require a strict control of the number of passengers on board, every STQ employee is aware of his responsibility towards the passengers entrusted to him during the crossing. The STQ leaves nothing to chance in an effort to train its crew and equip its ships with modern evacuation fittings. Since January 2002, the STQ is fully certified according to the SGS code, a security management system that normalizes procedures on board.

Experienced crews navigate the STQ’s ferries that make more than 100 000 crossings per year. At first glance, it may seem easy to go from one shore to another, but in spite of appearances many surprises are hidden. In navigation, the preparations for casting off and landing are the most delicate maneuvers, requiring the utmost precision and attention. To be in command of a STQ’s ship is, in certain cases at Tadoussac–Baie-Sainte-Catherine for example, realizing 56 casting offs and 56 landings in a single day! To go across the current along with the influence of the tides is not an easy thing. Moreover, the winds, the fog, the ice in winter and the presence of many pleasure boats around the ferries request a perpetual watchfulness. Considering all these factors, the Société’s 99.1 % success rate for its scheduled crossings is outstanding.

Customer’s Service

The Société des traversiers wishes that all customers appreciate their crossing. The Société has concisely put forward the agreements it undertakes towards its customers in its Statement of service to the public.

Every year, the STQ carries out a survey of points to be improved at each ferry service. Moreover, the Société puts the form Your opinion concerning our services at its customers’ disposal, on board ferries and in terminals. Customers can also make comments on the STQ Web site: www.traversiers.gouv.qc.ca Comments collected are invaluable to the Société in its endeavor to improve its service.

Information on ferry services is published in leaflets distributed on a large scale in tourist trade shows, tourist information centers and in shops located in the regions where a ferry service is offered. The Société’s Web site gives all the information necessary to plan a crossing. To know more about the Société as a public organization, it also presents corporate publications.

The Future

More dynamic than ever, the STQ is ready to take up new challenges. It plans the minutely detailed maintenance of its fleet and the eventual renewal of some ships.

As its president, Mr. Georges Farrah says: "La Société des traversiers has an important role in the Québec marine transportation industry. Its commitment in the regions where it operates ferry services has made the Société an important partner in the economic, social and tourist circles. The STQ takes pride on acting this role and intends forging ahead the improvement of the Québec marine transportation system in the context of Québec’s sustainable development."

To know more about the Société’s services, experience a crossing on board one of its ships and discover Québec, from shore to shore!

Welcome aboard!