At a second public forum held by the Steamship Authority board to discuss the proposed 2023 operating budget and fare hikes on Monday evening, SSA treasurer Mark Rozum said the board will take into account the comments and suggestions from the public when finalizing the draft.
The proposed 2023 budget was crafted after reviewing operations for the last 12 months, said Rozum, and without increasing ticket prices, projected operating and maintenance costs would put strain on the SSA’s finances. The main drivers of the proposed increase, he explained, are fuel cost and inflation, up 69 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively, from the previous year.
The meeting was held via Zoom and was attended by less than 10 participants including SSA spokesperson Sean Driscoll, general manager Bob Davis, Oak Bluffs port council member Joe Sollitto, and SSA rep to the Island, Jim Malkin.
Doug Ruskin of West Tisbury, inquired about the 2023 advertisement budget, which Oliveira said is set at $1,308,000. Ruskin suggested cutting the line item out altogether. “Those of us who live here year round,” he said, “require the service of the Steamship. . . Everybody else is coming for vacation, or seasonal use.”
He added, “Certainly we welcome them, and want them here, but constant increase in traffic year over year is becoming untenable. . . Why would you even need an advertisement budget when we, on the Island, are feeling overrun by excess traffic?”
Ruskin noted that the Island “basically advertises itself,” and by getting rid of the funds for ads, it could help reduce the financial burden placed on Islanders as increased fares are introduced.
Richard Weiss of Oak Bluffs asked the board “why residents have to absorb the costs of rate increases,” and suggested exclusively charging non residents the increased rates.
Rozum said the majority of ferry travelers in the off season are residents, and the revenue is needed for maintenance costs, but pointed out that existing excursion rates are in place as relief to Vineyarders.
When asked what portion of the budget will go toward payment of the SSA’s debt service on bonds used for the construction of the Woods Hole terminal, Rozum told The Times $869,000 will be paid in interest, in addition to $945,000 in principal payments. Regarding the recent purchase of MV Aquinnah, and MV Monomoy, Rozum said the SSA will owe approximately $1.5 million in interest payments, and $55,000 in principal payments.
Good for Doug. I have always wondered why the SSA advertises when it’s the only way to get here. It seems an obvious and easy budget line to cut.
The Island is served by 8 ferry boat and 6 airline companies.
Every person who uses other than the SSA drives up the SSA per passenger cost.
Most of the SSA advertising that I see is to inform the general public of schedules and contact information.
Instead of figuring out how to run their business more efficiently (example – not have boats run half full), the SSA is passing the buck, literally, to customers and residents who have no alternatives.
The SSA boats should not sail until they are 80%+ full.
It is crazy to hear that the SSA wants to advertise ! This is a service that is always used no matter what.
As a summer visitor I find it very hard and harder each year to even find a space on the ferry on the Saturdays when your rental generally starts.
Perhaps spend this money on making more time available or asking the owners of rentals to spread out the times they have you start your rental.
Thanks,
Dale Clayton-Morrison
The SSA has always advertised.
Keeping the boats full lowers the cost per person.
The advertising is primarily to let the public know the current and future schedules.
Much of it is used for legal notices.
Would the Island be better off if the SSA was dissolved?
Yes it would. Build a bridge or tunnel
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