passenger ferry rate increase

[hugo]

There are several US mainland/ island ferry systems that accomplish the same thing through differences in fare depending on whether you purchase your round trip on the mainland (higher price) or the island (several dollars lower). Most tourists never realize that they are paying more than island residents.

[Teresa_Rae]

We take the car barge so I don't know anything about the people ferry. Do they give a discount if you buy a bunch of rides at once?

Let's say that one ride is $2, so 10 would be $20, but if you pay for 10 up front, you only pay $15? That would be a fair fare

[jimg20]

I think the more appropriate comparison we should be making is to in-state tuition. The reasoning there is that state tax payers are paying a percentage of the cost of running the university. Are local tax payers paying a percentage of the cost of running the ferry?

JIM

[toes in the sand]

I will have to re-read it. I really scanned through it quickly but It appeared to me that there are a few options being considered. $2 per non resident is one and also $2.25 more per bag? Is that right?
It starts to add up quickly although I will agree that it won't be a deciding factor in my vacation budget but it certainly doesn't help. When will the car barge follow suit? It will also come into the decision of whether to ferry over to STT for a shopping trip. Believe me when I tell you that if the extra $8 keeps myself and my wife from visiting Artistic jewelers and the mall, that the islands stand to loose a chunk of tax revenue.
I like how the student and teachers higher fares are justified by concluding that the education budget can cover that.

I was able to read this article and not just scan it hurriedly as I did previously. I realize now that some of the charges mentioned were considered but not passed. It is only a $1/person/ride increase. After some thought that is something that I can support. It means at the most an extra $4 for our stay and would not deter us from our normal shopping trip to Charlotte Amalie.
At least this is a cost increase that stays local and not like the hideous increases in airfares and airline fees.

[cocosmom]

I think the residents should pay less. In MD the Eastern Shore folks can get a discounted ticket book to cross the Bay Bridge. These people do it on a daily basis for work compared to us " western shore" folks who venture over maybe a dozen times a year. Same for STJ except us tourists are lucky to hit the ferry once a year!

[metalmaho]

The ferry companies do not need to be like the airlines and charge for bags. It's ridiculous and it should be illegal. A ferry to go either direction should only cost $4.00. This is why more people are taking the barge. Split the barge between 4 people and it's $13.00 a piece. Then, you don't even have taxi fare because you have your own car. Idiots!

[toes in the sand]

The ferry companies do not need to be like the airlines and charge for bags. It's ridiculous and it should be illegal. A ferry to go either direction should only cost $4.00. This is why more people are taking the barge. Split the barge between 4 people and it's $13.00 a piece. Then, you don't even have taxi fare because you have your own car. Idiots!

metalmaho, I disagree on a number of statements you make, but I really wonder who you are calling idiots.