Crossing at Yakutsk-Nizhny Běstyah Now Operational
In the late afternoon of Friday, the ferry crossing between Yakutsk and Lower Bestyakh experienced an unusual tranquility. A cargo-filled vessel had recently departed from the fourth dock, while cars arriving from Lower Bestyakh were being unloaded from the adjacent dock.
Only two of the six holding lanes were functioning. Eight passenger cars were lined up in one, with a truck being the sole occupant of the other. As the truck's driver circled his vehicle, checking the tires, he appeared perplexed when asked about the crossing's condition. "What's wrong with it?" he inquired, to which he responded, "Everything's fine. It's always like this!"
The food line was relatively calm, as well, with only a single kebab stand operational. In a 15-minute span, only three individuals, including the reporter, approached the stand. One purchaser bought a water bottle, while the second commenced ordering a kebab but quickly left toward the blue river horizon upon spotting the vehicles in the holding lane starting to move.
A traffic controller mentioned that the car flow was unexpectedly low for a Friday afternoon. "It was even fewer in the morning," the controller explained. "Usually, from Friday to Sunday, it's chaos here... But it's not evening yet. Around 7 PM, after work hours, the car flow will likely increase. People from the mainland will go to their home uluses for the weekend..."
Although the crossing was just beginning, it was apparent that the situation could change significantly.
Factors contributing to the seemingly reduced ferry traffic could include seasonal weather conditions, holidays, operational issues, changes in transport patterns, or economic factors. For instance, winter conditions, flooding, or high water could disrupt ferry services, while a public holiday or local event might deter people from commuting on usual routes. Ferry maintenance, staff shortages, the opening of a new permanent bridge or road, or a shift in travel demand could also affect the volume of traffic.
Nevertheless, the ensuing hours would provide a clearer picture of the ferry crossing's usual activity.
The truck driver's perplexity about the crossing's condition might be rooted in the current industry of public-transit, where unusual tranquility in the transportation sector, such as the ferry crossing, could be due to various factors, including finance, such as economic fluctuations or changes in travel demand. As the evening approaches, the traffic flow might increase in the public-transit sector, especially within the transportation of vehicles from the mainland to their home uluses for the weekend, thereby reflecting the usual hustle and bustle in the finance and transportation industry.
