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