Ferry users prepare for tolls (Beaufort, Southport: option to buy, taxes, cost)

[SunnyKayak]

Coastal North Carolina residents who rely on two state ferries for daily commutes to work are preparing for the end of free rides in April. A consultant has suggested one-way tolls of at least $4 per car, though regular riders will have the option to buy commuter passes that could cost up to $200 a year.

read more Ferry users prepare for tolls

[coffeebean330]

I occasionally take the ferry from Southport to Fort Fisher. From the sound of it, it's going to cost $12 or so now.

[Richard Martin]

People will adapt.

[oldraider]

Maybe that could become a write off on an individual's taxes, or a provided job benefit by a larger corporation. People just need to give it a minute and see. The math isn't to bad anyway $3.84 a week for 52 weeks, can't buy their gas for the drive around for that.

[SunnyKayak]

Gov. Bev Perdue said Tuesday she will block new and increased ferry tolls for a year along the North Carolina coast, citing the region's struggle to create growth after Hurricane Irene. State lawmakers approved the increases last year in an effort to cut the budget deficit.

Perdue to block ferry toll hikes

[le roi]

at first i read this as:

Ferry users: Prepare for trolls

[box_of_zip_disks]

Originally Posted by le roi

at first i read this as:

Ferry users: Prepare for trolls

If the current occupants of the general assembly has their way they might contract collection operations out to some.

[frisch]

And now, the ONLY thing worth a damn that Governor Dumpling has done since she took office. I guess she is hoping we'll all remember this and let her go out on a political high note (hahaha).

The ferry is the only viable way for many residents of northeast Beaufort County to get to jobs at PCS on the south side of the river. Putting tolls on it after all these years would be ridiculous.

[MrBojangles]

Originally Posted by frisch

And now, the ONLY thing worth a damn that Governor Dumpling has done since she took office. I guess she is hoping we'll all remember this and let her go out on a political high note (hahaha).

The ferry is the only viable way for many residents of northeast Beaufort County to get to jobs at PCS on the south side of the river. Putting tolls on it after all these years would be ridiculous.

I don't see why the Ocracoke-Hatteras isn't tolled. Allow the residents of Ocracoke a free pass, and/or residents of Dare/Hyde get a free/reduced pass. You could charge $10bucks and people would still go.

The only people who use the inland ferries do it for economical reasons, not recreational. No need to charge them.

Just like the tolls on I-95.

[box_of_zip_disks]

Originally Posted by MrBojangles

I don't see why the Ocracoke-Hatteras isn't tolled. Allow the residents of Ocracoke a free pass, and/or residents of Dare/Hyde get a free/reduced pass. You could charge $10bucks and people would still go.

Because Ocracoke tourist revenues already bring in way more in tax dollars without charging admission. Plus any proposed fee scheme would bring a suit which would cost the state more than they'd get for the amount of time it would even be tolled.