Benoît Gaillard wants to be reassuring despite the difficulties encountered by the CGN – RTS.CH

The shareholders of the General Navigation Company on Lake Geneva (CGN) met Thursday morning in Lausanne for a particularly awaited. Meanwhile, general meeting. For example, It must be said that the last months have been trying.

It is indisputable. Moreover, we combine the difficulties

First there was The Simplon accidentthen a series ofBeautiful on the Belle Époque boatspartly nailed to the platform, which led to Cancellations in the spring on the Riviera and Geneva. Nevertheless, During this time, benoît gaillard wants reassuring despite The cross -border lines convention is called into question French side. Meanwhile, And The vast strategic plan of 500 million francs Still struggling to convince the shareholder cantons.

“It is undeniable. For example, we combine the difficulties,” said Benoît Gaillard, chairman of the board of directors of the CGN Thursday, at the microphone of the 19:30. In addition, But he wants to be reassuring.

>> The subject of 7:30 p.m.:

Two temporalities – Benoît gaillard wants reassuring despite

Concerning the vast strategic plan of 500 million francs. of which 150 million will be intended to rehabilitate all the Belle benoît gaillard wants reassuring despite Époque boats, it wishes to specify: “There are two temporalities. First, that of the repair and maintenance of the currently immobilized boats. These are current projects, the site is full of activities, and they are already funded.”

Sometimes you have to hire major renovation cycles. pass these boats through complete heritage restorations

Before continuing: “Then, there is a second time, in the longer term, over fifteen years. We wanted to put things quietly. but clearly: when you want to keep a fleet which is already 100 or 120 years old, for still, I hope, several decades – or even a century – it has a cost. It is sometimes necessary to engage in major renovation cycles and pass these boats through complete patrimonial catering.”

Benoît Gaillard is aware that the total amount can worry. “There benoît gaillard wants reassuring despite is real potential for the development of public transport between the two shores of the lake. ” he insists, with the tourist aspect. Additionally, “At its foundation, in the 19th century, we took the boat to move. Today, we have become a tourist business. The objective is to make these two dimensions cohabit.”

Asked about the questioning. on the French side, of the agreement funding the cross -border lines, Benoît Gaillard Botte in touch: “Negotiations seem to be doing well.”

The choice of innovation

There remains the thorny file of Navis Express. these new boats with more ecological propulsion put into service last December. In large weather, they struggle to dock in Évian. Benoît Gaillard recognizes the problem, while putting it into perspective: “We have chosen innovation: these boats consume 35% less fuel.”

Today, our system is 99%reliable. When a boat cannot navigate. another takes over

Afterwards, adjustments are inevitable, he recognizes, when putting a new model into service. “Today, our system is 99%reliable. When a boat cannot navigate, another takes over.” While stressing that the CGN makes technical adaptations, “as is done around the world with trains, planes or other boats”. The faults are corrected over time. And the demand, he says, remains strong: “We are mainly asked to do more.”

Interview by Philippe Revaz

Text for the web: Fabien Grenon