Navigating Blind: River Shuttles Call for Reliable and Predictable Funding
Updated: Sep 1
St. Lawrence Ship Operators, Croisières AML and Navark are calling for a multi-year framework to strengthen river shuttle services across Quebec. In Montreal alone, ridership rose by 18% in 2025, reaching 543,645 trips.
MONTREAL, August 21, 2026 - St. Lawrence Ship Operators, together with Croisières AML and Navark, are drawing attention to the precarious nature of funding for river shuttle services in Quebec. Despite growing ridership, these services remain vulnerable because funding is provided on an ad hoc basis and is often confirmed too late to properly plan upcoming seasons.
The three organizations are calling on the government to establish a multi-year, recurring and predictable funding framework, allowing operators to plan several seasons ahead with schedules, fares, connections and commitments known to the public and partners.
A Service Embraced by the Public
543,645 trips in 2025 | +18% compared with 2024 | 6 metropolitan routes | 35 years serving Montreal |
Montreal
Available data show that ridership across the Montreal network has more than doubled since 2022. In 2025, ridership on routes N4 and N5, which link Montreal's Old Port to Île Sainte-Hélène and Longueuil, increased by 39% and 32%, respectively. These results are not solely tourism-driven. Rather, they reflect a wide range of uses: commuting, access to the Old Port and Parc Jean-Drapeau, events, connections with the metro and bus networks, and cross-river travel for cyclists.
Beyond their growing popularity, river shuttles directly help reduce automobile traffic. According to a 2022 ARTM survey, more than one rider in two, or 53%, would have driven if the service had not been available. These results show that river shuttles are more than an attraction or an enjoyable way to cross the river: they are a genuine public transit solution that takes vehicles off the road network.
Elsewhere in Quebec
The Trois-Rivières–Bécancour route provides a valued cross-river link, particularly for active transportation users. In 2025, it recorded more than 15,000 trips, including approximately 2,400 by cyclists, despite service being limited to weekends. A multi-year agreement would make the route permanent, allow each season to be planned several months in advance, and reduce its dependence on funding arrangements renewed annually.
The Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré–Quebec City route demonstrated its strong potential during the pilot project, setting a record of 33,793 trips in 2024—an increase of 99% over 2023. Making the route permanent would maximize the value of the $10 million public investment in the new wharf, support the regional tourism economy and re-establish a fast, affordable link to downtown Quebec City.
Funding Remains Far Too Uncertain
Montreal's situation illustrates a broader issue across Quebec. Despite its steady growth over the past five years, the network continues to be managed as a pilot project renewed annually. Each renewal requires new funding arrangements and confirmation of contributions from multiple partners. This uncertainty has concrete consequences: service is announced late; operators have less ability to retain crews amid a shortage of skilled labour and to reserve vessels; maintenance and investment planning becomes more difficult; and integration with other public transit services remains incomplete.
This challenge affects passengers just as much. When service is announced late, it is harder to incorporate into travel habits, employer plans, event programming and passenger information tools. The growth observed demonstrates the service's potential as a sustainable public transit option; predictability is now needed to turn it into a genuine mobility habit.
A Concrete, Measurable Solution
St. Lawrence Shipoperators, Croisières AML and Navark propose a predictable operating framework and long-term, multi-year funding for river shuttle services. Service schedules should be confirmed several months in advance so residents, employers, festivals and transit networks can incorporate river shuttles into the available transportation options.
The framework should also advance fare and digital integration—particularly with OPUS, Chrono and coordinated schedules—and track common performance indicators: ridership, on-time performance, satisfaction, bicycle trips, modal shift and trip purposes. This approach would consolidate successful corridors, relaunch proven routes and gradually test new services.
Quotes
“For 35 years, river shuttles have delivered concrete results for residents, workers, tourists and communities. Despite this success, their future remains uncertain year after year. All political parties should recognize their contribution to public transit and commit to providing stable, predictable, long-term funding.” — Yan Hamel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Croisières AML
“Every trip taken on the water is one less trip on our roads. River shuttles offer an affordable, efficient and sustainable transportation option. Now is the time to provide them with recurring funding commensurate with their contribution to public transit.” — Normand Noël, Captain and President, Navark
About
St. Lawrence Ship Operators.
Since 1936, the association has represented and promoted shipowners' interests to support the growth and development of domestic marine transportation on the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes, in the Arctic and out to the Atlantic. It contributes to the development of a strong, innovative and environmentally responsible industry.
Croisières AML and Navettes maritimes du Saint-Laurent.
Navettes maritimes du Saint-Laurent, a subsidiary of Croisières AML, operates in the Montreal region, where it runs routes N4 and N5 linking the Old Port, Île Sainte-Hélène and Longueuil. It has expertise in high-ridership operations, active transportation, event service and cross-river mobility.
Navark
A family-owned river transportation, sightseeing cruise and events company operating for more than 20 years, Navark draws on extensive knowledge of the St. Lawrence. It operates metropolitan shuttle routes N1, N2, N3 and N6, linking Montreal,
