Let’s pause the state ferry tolling frenzy…until data is in

Part 2 of a Series

Credit North Carolina’s coastal news media outlets for sending out early alerts about the new state requirement that will slap tolls on all of the N.C. Department of Transportation Ferry Division routes, effective Jan. 1, 2027.

 

The provision was slipped into the new state budget bill by certain state senate leaders at the “eleventh hour” without rhyme nor reason. 

The maneuvering was detected by Sen. Bobby Hanig of Currituck County and Sen. Norman Sanderson of Pamlico County, who raised a last-minute fuss that was basically ignored.

Sen. Hanig said he strongly believes the ferries “are, by all accounts, a part of the North Carolina highway system,” and personally, he “believes no North Carolina citizen should have to pay a toll to ride on a ferry.”

“Now we’re going to tax the hardworking people of eastern North Carolina to go to work, go to school, go to doctor’s appointments,” he said. “I made a promise to my constituents a long time ago that I would not vote for a ferry tax,” Hanig said.

He also questioned: What’s the rush to implement tolls by Jan. 1, in advance of two important studies related to the ferry system?

The Ferry Division is well into an comprehensive economic impact study that is being conducted by the Institute for Transportation Research and Education at North Carolina State University.

 

The study is intended to help the division better understand the needs and experiences of passengers on each route. Public surveys are being accepted through Dec. 31 – one day before the toll mandate takes effect. 

Let’s wait for the findings.

It’s also noteworthy that the General Assembly approved, and Gov. Josh Stein signed, House Bill 1094 directing the State Auditor’s office to conduct a broad financial performance audit of the Ferry Division. 

“The purpose is to examine operations, maintenance spending and budget practices, evaluate capital project activities and make suggestions for long-term strategies to maximize revenue and reduce costs.”

Additionally, the audit will evaluate the current route system and potential routes and recommend any adjustments, also to maximize revenue and reduce costs. The auditor must deliver a report to lawmakers by Jan. 15, 2027.

North Carolina Auditor Dave Boliek

As the Carteret County News-Times, published in Morehead City, N.C., commented in an editorial on July 8, wouldn’t it “be better to review the results of the audit to determine where savings might be found as well as conclusions regarding the value and importance of the ferry system” before imposing new tolls on ferry users?

Something is not adding up here. Why bother with the time, effort and expense of an audit, if the data are not going to factored into the process?

More thought especially needs to be given to the unique situation of Ocracoke Island, and the “free ferry” to Hatteras Island.

Sen. Sanderson says a state statute already on the books may “prevent” tolling that route, requiring residents and guests with one “free pathway” to exit Ocracoke.

Peter Vankevich, co-publisher of the Ocracoke Observer (shown above), reported that Randal Mathews, chair of the Hyde County Board of Commissioners (shown below), has had intense conversations Tess Judge of Kill Devil Hills, a member of the N.C. Board of Transportation, about the tight timeline for developing the tolling system.

Tess Judge

Vankevich said: “The Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry has long been viewed as the waterborne extension of N.C. Highway 12, rather than as simply another ferry route. That distinction explains why it has remained toll-free for decades.”

“State highway funds – including fuel tax revenues – have traditionally supported ferry operations, just as they support roads and bridges throughout North Carolina.”