Steamship Authority reports modest 2012 growth

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Passenger and automobile traffic on Steamship Authority grew modestly in 2012, when compared with traffic figures for the previous year. Freight traffic declined slightly, driven by a 1.6 percent decrease for Vineyard freight and a three percent jump in Nantucket service.

For autos, the 2012 traffic rose 2.5 percent on Vineyard routes, or about 10,000 vehicles, and 0.3 percent for Nantucket, or 191 units. The overall result was an increase of 2.3 percent.

Passenger traffic growth grew sharply last year, especially for Nantucket service, where customers increased 6.9 percent, or 36,000 ticket holders. For the Vineyard, the increase was a more modest 2.5 percent, or about 55,000. Overall, the line grew its passenger carriage 3.4 percent.

Talking dollars, boatline revenue grew 4.5 percent, or about $1.2 million, in 2012 for overall passengers. Automobile revenues increased 2.6 percent, or about $700,000. Freight (trucks) was a revenue disappointment, up only 0.6 percent, or about $100,000.