The new Olkhon ferry on the MRS Olkhon crossing will work with the old Dorozhnik this summer to handle the growing tourist flow and reduce queues. Authorities are considering options for its operation, commercially, around the clock, or only at night, and the vessel maintenance costs for the 2009 navigation season may be revised. A new pier will not be needed, the existing berths suit both ferries.
The new ferry to Olkhon may possibly operate on a commercial basis either around the clock or only at night. Ruslan Bolotov, Minister of Construction and Road Management of the Irkutsk Region, told Teleinform about this. This summer, two ferries will operate simultaneously on the MRS (Sakhyurta) – Olkhon crossing: the old “Dorozhnik” and the new motor vessel “Olkhon.”More than 31 million rubles have been allocated in the Irkutsk Region budget for the operation and maintenance of the new ferry during the 2009 navigation season. However, these expenses may be reduced if the regional budget is optimized. “It is wrong to place the burden of these costs solely on the budget of the Irkutsk Region when we are talking about transporting tourists, not local residents,” Ruslan Bolotov said.
As reported by the customer service – the State Institution “Directorate for the Construction and Operation of Roads of the Irkutsk Region,” there is no need to build a new pier and landing stage – the existing ones are suitable for both vessels.
As a reminder, construction of the motor vessel “Olkhon” began in October 2007. On September 26, 2008, the fully completed “Olkhon” made a technical voyage along its future route, and the test was successful. The new ferry’s task is to ensure transportation from the mainland to the island, taking into account the increased tourist flow, and to eliminate queues at the crossing.