Organization of the SMTDR
The ferry service depended on the State by being a service of the Departmental Directorate of Equipment,then responsibility for the activity was transferred to the General Council of Bouches-du-Rhône as part of decentralization but it was always the DDE, Arles’ subdivision, which had operational responsibility for the service.
In 1999, with the aim of improving the provision of this service, the Syndicat Mixte des Traversées du Delta du Rhône (SMTDR) was created with the Department of Bouches-du-Rhône, the Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur region (left in 2021) and the commune of Arles.
The SMTDR is a public local cooperation establishment with the legal form of an open mixed union. The Department has delegated its authority to it for the organization and management of crossings of the Rhône Delta at two crossing points.
The board
A board of directors, the Union Council, made up of elected representatives from the communities in proportion to their participations, ensures the management of the SMTDR. The Union Council is chaired by its President (currently the President is Ms. Mandy GRAILLON, departmental advisor).
The management including part of the administrative services is based in Arles (4 people) and 2 are based in Salin de Giraud where an office is also held at the ‘Maison du Passeur de Salin de Giraud’ during the first 3 months of the year, for the validation of boarding subscriptions. At Le Sauvage, the ferryman is available in the office between passages.
It should be noted that the Barcarin ferry was the subject of a song and a comic strip.
Appropriate means
Amphidrome ferries are vessels specifically adapted to the characteristics of the operation which they must ensure with proven reliability. They have been continually improved during their service. They are geared by trained personnel.
An amphidromous vehicle has the particularity of being able to move forwards and backwards in the same way.
Logistical support is provided by a majority of regional companies in compliance with the Public Procurement Code and in constant liaison with manufacturers. (Wärtsilä France, Baudouin, John Deere for engines and generators, Voith France for propulsion systems, ZF for gearboxes…).
This public service fulfills an operational mission of certain quality with the greatest amplitude and the highest frequency in France.
The SMTDR is certified as compliant with the International Code for Maritime Safety Management and Pollution Prevention (ISM Code) It is therefore driven by a desire for improvement.
Flowchart
Bouches-du-Rhône Departmental Council,
City of Arles
Union Council
(elected representatives)
President of the SMTDR
Director of SMTDR
Administrative department
Budget
Revenue management
Subscriber management
Territorial Civil Service Personal HR
IM Human Resources
Operating Division
Exploitation
Maintenance
Application of the ISM code (security, etc.)