To the Editor:
My Steamship Authority (SSA) rate hike rant continues. Today Senator Charles Schumer requested an investigation of why airline prices have not come down in light of the collapse of oil prices. I can’t ring the alarm bell enough: the SSA has, under the representation of Islander Mark Hanover, refused to suspend the rate hike looming on January 1. This rate hike is based on a requested increase in the budget line item concerning fuel expenses. They requested a 2.5 percent increase for this fiscal year, yet oil has plummeted by nearly 50 percent. This is a $10 million dollar budget. This rate hike was based on this figure.
They are going to have a multiple million dollar surplus and we are still going to get a rate hike.
Islanders are getting ripped off. This needs to be an issue for the All Island Selectmen immediately. This also needs to be an issue for the Dukes County Commission.
Todd Rebello
Oak Bluffs
