To the Editor:
The SSA proposes a 5 percent increase for excursion fares for Islanders. There is a proposed 5.5 percent increase for all freight. There is a proposed 33 percent increase in the Palmer Avenue lot daily parking rates in the winter, and a 47 percent increase during the shoulder season for that same parking.
The expected revenue from increasing the excursion rate by 5 percent for Vineyard residents is expected to yield an additional $350,026. This total is almost exactly the same amount that the golden parachute for Bob Davis, who will serve as “special advisor” in 2026, will cost ferry fare payers next year.
The board members of the Steamship Authority perhaps need to look at the bigger picture when they address reasons for the SSA operating budget shortfall.
These reasons include the mismanagement of capital projects, especially the lavish spending for the new Woods Hole terminal; the so far futile efforts to replace the antiquated reservation system; a refusal to look at licensing options to allow barge companies, who are standing by at the ready, to much more efficiently haul 20-plus daily truckloads of fuel, trash, and septic waste; and the penny-wise but pound-foolish purchase of 16-year-old highly polluting workboats that required significant investment to make them fit for use as ferries.
The outdated reservation system shows boat after boat as full, yet numerous boats are canceled due to “trip consolidation.” The lost revenue due to boats running with empty spaces most certainly contributes to the deficit.
The board is seemingly out of touch with the needs of residents and commuters, the constituents for whom the Steamship Authority was established.
We heartily agree with Falmouth SSA board representative Peter Jeffrey that the Steamship Authority is operating under an outdated Enabling Act, and the entire governance structure of the Steamship should be reconsidered by the state legislature.
The current arrangement is not adequate to ensure the safety, reliability, and affordability required of the $152 million operation carrying 2.9 million passengers and 675,000 vehicles a year.
Amy Cody, Margaret Hannemann, Alysha Norbury, Nat Trumbull, and Beth O’Connor
Steamship Authority Citizens’ Action Group and SMART (Southeast Massachusetts Regional Transportation Citizens Task Force)
I wholeheartedly agree. While I am a regular summertime visitor, this year’s experience with the Steamship Authority was the worst. Three of our vehicles initially could only get Friday reservations and Sunday returns for a Saturday to Saturday trip. Waitlist did not kickin until July for our departing reservation and then it was a 630am ferry. This required us to drive through the night. We all know you cannot enter a home until 3 pm. Additionally the Fri ferry was the last ferry which meant we would not have been able to get off island to stay in Falmouth for the night. We are to old to be sleeping in a car all night! You cannot get a one night stay in MV. We had a dog, babies, food. It was extremely anxiety provoking waiting and trying to find different accommodations. MV is my happy place but it caused me anxiety this year. This system is old, outdated, antiquated, useless etc etc etc and you’re proposing price increases for what? Is this an underhanded way to decrease the August tourism complaints despite the revenue we bring in that supports the island? Extremely disappointed in Steamship Authority. The “new system” direction said to log on at 8am and get a number. Mine was like 6509! I then found out people still got on at 5am and received a space in line. It’s 2026 practically this does not work.
Excuse any typos. It’s Saturday I’m sleepy!!
Make The Island Great Again.
Reduce SSA service.
Get rid of the vacationers.
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