Bleak Budget Puts Fare Hikes On The Table For Steamship Authority

FALMOUTH, MA — The Steamship Authority, the public ferry service that provides trips between Woods Hole, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, is pondering raising its rates amid a projected budget shortfall stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.

Authority Board officials estimated the ferry line will be in a $1.3 million hole in 2021, the Cape Cod Times reported. Normally, the Steamship Authority earns $7.3 million in annual profits, meaning its estimated the ferry service will be $8.7 million behind its target operating revenue. To make up that shortfall, the authority's governing board is considering fare increases for walk-on passengers, vehicles over and under 20 feet, excursion rates for islanders, barge fees and parking permits.

On the Vineyard route, steamship management is proposing a $1 increase for passenger fares, between $4 and $6 hikes on standard vehicle fares and $15 on peak trips. Excursion rates would go up between $2.50 and $3.50, and yearly parking permits would go up $50. For the Nantucket route, passenger fares would increase $1 and $3 on the high-speed ferry, Vehicle transportation would see a hike between $11 and $16 one-way and $25 at peak times. Excursion rates would rise between $6 and $8. Barge fees would rise $2 per ton. Parking permits on both routes would see a $50 hike, and the price for larger trucks would go up 7 percent.

At Tuesday's board meeting, Steamship Chair James Malkin said fair increases are tough for everyone to swallow," but they are the only "reasonable way to deal with the projected budget shortfall.

For more on this story, check out the Cape Cod Times.