Ferry Toll Update

Ferry Tolls

State transportation officials are trying to comply with the General Assembly's

directive to set new or higher rates for tolls and commuter passes on five ferry

routes and the governor's order banning enforcement of them. "We're in a box now

because the law says one thing, but the governor told us not to do it," Gene Conti,

the transportation secretary, said Wednesday at a state Board of Transportation

meeting. Proposed rates unveiled Wednesday would introduce new charges for

pedestrians and for vehicle passengers, who ride free now on ferries where tolls are

collected on vehicles and their drivers. DOT ferry officials figure they will be told

eventually to start collecting these new tolls -- but nobody knows when that will be.

In a two-year budget adopted last year over the veto of Democratic Gov. Beverly

Perdue, the Republican-controlled legislature ordered DOT to start collecting fares

on two toll-free river ferries used mostly by commuters, and to set higher rates on

three routes where tolls are collected now. The new rates were supposed to take

effect April 1, but last month Perdue ordered a one-year moratorium. She cited

economic hardship in coastal communities and said the new tolls would put an unfair

burden on residents. Republican legislators have expressed doubts about the

governor's legal authority to block the tolls. They'll have a chance to raise the issue

formally today, when tolls are on the agenda at a House appropriations

subcommittee meeting.

 

Meanwhile Wednesday, Paul G. Morris, DOT deputy secretary for transit, explained

his proposed new toll rates for whenever they do take effect:

 

Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach (Neuse River), now toll-free: Car and driver,

$4, more for larger vehicles. Pedestrian or passenger, $1. Bicycle, $2.

Motorcycle, $2.50.

 

Aurora-Bayview (Pamlico River), now toll-free, and Southport-Fort Fisher, now

tolled: Car and driver, $10, more for larger vehicles. Pedestrian or passenger,

$2. Bicycle, $3. Motorcycle, $5.

 

Swan Quarter-Ocracoke and Cedar Island Ocracoke (Pamlico Sound), now

tolled: Car and driver, $27, more for larger vehicles. Pedestrian or passenger,

$5. Bicycle, $10. Motorcycle, $15.

 

A one-year commuter pass good on all ferry routes would be available for

commuters and other frequent riders: Car and driver, $500, more for larger

vehicles. Pedestrian or passenger, $100. Bicycle or motorcycle, $500. One-year

passes good only on a single route also would be offered at lower rates: Car and

driver, $150 on Cherry Branch ferry, $200 on Aurora and Southport ferries, $300 on

Swan Quarter and Cedar Island ferries, higher for larger vehicles. Other pass rates

range from $25 to $75 for pedestrians and passengers, and $150 to $300 for

bicycles and motorcycles. Children younger than 12 would ride toll-free, and adults

65 and older would get 10 percent discounts.

 

"We will be at the discretion of the governor and the General Assembly to determine at what point we actually implement the new tolls," Morris said. The budget calls for new rates that will increase toll collections by $2 million this year, growing to $5 million in additional

tolls two years from now. Perdue said DOT will cut spending enough to make up for

the toll revenues canceled by her order.(Bruce Siceloff, NEWS & OBSERVER,3/08/12).

Please continue your calls and emails to legislators today!  More later, Henri and Joe