You may have heard about recent discussions concerning the Casco Bay Lines’ alleged need to increase car ferry rates to $190 ( now down to (170) for the 17-minute Peaks Island run from Portland.

Finance Committee Board members at the Casco Bay Island Transit District (CBITD) say they need to raise the car ferry rates because it’s been 17 years since the last increase. They argue that this astronomical increase follows their mandate to make sure the ferry service remains affordable to year-round residents because they are also offering lower rates to people who meet certain requirements. These reduced rates range from $46 to $82.65.

These lower-priced options would be available to people who purchase year-round passes ($432), and to those who purchase 90-day passes ($144, although this later option incurs an additional $50 fee to be eligible for the lowered car ferry rates, so really $194).

The problem is NONE OF THIS IS AFFORDABLE TO MANY YEAR-ROUND ISLANDERS who don’t have the cash flow to cover the extended passes they’d need to qualify for the reduced rates.

What’s more, a number of islanders currently never pay more to transport their cars than $36, available in the summer on Wednesdays, and every day in the winter. So those who cannot afford to lay out hundreds of dollars at once for extended passes would be forced to pay $190 for the same trip that currently costs them $36. That’s an increase of 428 percent!

The ferry is the lifeline for island residents. Regular people depend on it to get to medical appointments, for emergencies, to buy groceries and all types of supplies, and it needs to become affordable for all residents, not just the few who can afford sky high rates. If this increase passes, long-time residents and families could be priced right off the island. 

Tourism is also the lifeline of our community, bringing in Portland visitors and others who enjoy the scenic beauty of our island. Yet a price hike like this one could keep them from visiting. Island businesses stand to lose as the impact of exorbitant transportation fees ripples through our entire community.

If you agree that the ferry should be made affordable for all, then sign this petition. 

If you're worried that this rate hike will keep tourists away and hurt our island economy, then sign this petition. 

If you are worried that this will put even more pressure on limited parking opportunities in town, then sign this petition.

If you are worried this will cause boarding delays, then sign this petition.

If you are worried that the CBITD board has yet to comparably increase commercial vehicle rates, sign this petition.

If the implementation of this new, very expensive fee has you are worried about the mental health of the ticketing window staff, the freight staff, and the crew, sign this petition!!!

The need to do so is URGENT: 

• Already, residents have had a small impact as the board had to delay their final vote on this proposal from May 9 to this coming Friday, May 16, this after much debate.
• Despite hearing from many who are against this proposal on MAY 9, and despite the opposition of 83 percent of the write-in comments, many board members, including most of the members who live on Peaks Island, remain vehement in their support of this outrageous increase. 
• A number of opponents also cited the fundamental unfairness of the board’s recent decision to try to raise car ferry rates dramatically while postponing the scrutiny of existing commercial vehicle rates and setting comparable fare increases to commercial vehicles, which tend to take up more space on the ferry.
• We need to make sure our voices are heard by the members of the CBITD we’ve elected to make our ferry service affordable for everyone. Stand with us to keep Peaks Island accessible to all!