Kerch ferry line's three-month traffic soars threefold to 191,000 vehicles, 889,000 passengers

Traffic volume on the Kerch ferry line (the Kerch Stait) between April 1 and July 17, 2014 has totaled 889,000 passengers and 191,000 vehicles, the Ministry of Transportation reports with reference to the United Transport Directorate's statistics.

In comparison with the same period in 2013 passenger traffic leaped by more than threefold, the number of carried vehicles soared by 4.6 times.

In June 2014 the ferry line transported to the Crimea and back 323,000 passengers, a huge 367% leap from a year ago, and 72,000 cars (+ 565%).

July and August are expected to become record months for passenger traffic across the Kerch Strait. In the first 17 days of July only 296,000 passengers and 47,000 autos have been transported by ferries.

"However, despite the increase in traffic on the Kerch ferry line, the situation remains difficult," the Ministry said.

The United Transport Directorate passenger traffic statistics for the Kerch ferry line in 2014 are as follows:
In April to the Crimea and back – 82,000 passengers / 270,000 cars (+168%/+480%);
In May - 188,000 passengers (+239%) / 45,000 cars (+217%).
June – 323,000 people (+367%) / 72,000 cars (+565%).