Ferry board backs overall rate hike Increase will range from 7 to 15 percent

ROCKLAND – The Maine State Ferry Advisory Board has thrown its support behind an across-the-board rate hike that is expected to go into place by July 1.

Ferry Service Manager James MacLeod relayed the advisory board’s vote of approval during a public hearing on the rate increase held here Tuesday. The hearing was conducted by Department of Transportation attorney Richard N. Hewes. Hewes said he planned to make his recommendation on the increase to DOT Commissioner David Cole after a 10-day public comment period.

MacLeod said the rate change worked out to an approximately 10 percent increase for the Vinalhaven, North Haven, Frenchboro, Matinicus and Swans Island ferries operated by the state. The increase for the Islesboro ferry run would be 15 percent for trips originating from the mainland at Lincolnville Beach and 7 percent from the island.

Islesboro town manager Marnie Diffin attended the hearing and testified that her community supported the proposed rate hike. Diffin said the town wanted to thank the ferry service for allowing Islesboro to apply a different rate increase to trips on the Margaret Chase Smith ferry.

MacLeod said the state is required by law to subsidize 50 percent of the ferry service’s $7 million annual budget. He said the fares make up the other 50 percent. MacLeod attributed the rate increase to the added cost of fuel and personnel in the coming budget.

“I’m in favor of this budget as it’s proposed because it’s basically because of the rising cost of fuel and the rising cost of payroll and benefits,” retired ferry service manager Capt. Richard Spear, of Rockland testified. “Basically, it’s the overall economy and the cost of living going up.”

Under the new rate schedule, for the Vinalhaven, North Haven and Swans Island runs, the cost for an adult round trip from the mainland will increase from $13.25 to $14.50 and for an auto round trip from $38 to $41.75. From the island, the cost for an adult round trip will increase from $6.50 to $7.25 and for a car from $20.25 to $22.25.

For Islesboro, the cost for an adult round trip from the mainland will increase from $6.50 to $7.50 and for a car from $19.25 to $22.25. From the island, an adult round trip will increase from $3.50 to $3.75 and for a car from $10.25 to $11.

For Frenchboro, the cost for an adult round trip from both the mainland and the island will increase from $8 to $8.80 and for a car from $24 to $26.50.

For Matinicus, the cost for an adult round trip from both the mainland and the island will increase from $26 to $29 and for a car from $70 to $77.

MacLeod also reported that work on the $10.5 million construction of two transfer bridges at the Rockland terminal was on schedule for completion in November. The bridges can be raised or lowered with the tide to allow passengers and vehicles to board the ferry. He said having two bridges would allow for more efficient operations and also enable the ferry service to keep the boats running to Vinalhaven, North Haven and Matinicus while construction was in progress. Once one of the new bridges is completed, the existing 1950s-era bridge will be removed and replaced.

A similar project is planned for the terminals at Lincolnville Beach and Islesboro for 2009, but that will entail closing the terminals for at least a month. He said Islesboro residents have resigned themselves to using private carriers from the public landing while the $5.5 million replacement bridges are under construction.

“It’s going to be tough,” MacLeod said of the plan to shut down the terminals. “It will be painful, but it’s extremely necessary. Those bridges are in very bad shape.”

Those wishing to file a public comment on the rate increase have until June 29. Comments should be sent to Richard Hewes, Department of Transportation Legal Division, 16 State House Station, Augusta 04333-0016.