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Interesting, Stumpy, and thanks for linking this. I recall a convo a few months ago about tolls to be applied for ridership on the ferries. Also, I did not know it was the second largest ferry system in the U.S.

I certainly do miss the shorter ride times across to Ocracoke many years ago when the ferries did not have to swing out so wide to avoid hitting sand, etc.

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Briefly discussed in the "Hwy 12 on Ocracoke" thread, as many know, the Ocracoke ferry leg is disproportionately costly (I think, more than the collective costs of the other routes).

Some cost modeling actually shows a lower cost, over time, of a "gasp" bridge to Okracoke vs the ferry.

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Some interesting info from the article.

"A 2020 analysis found the system supports roughly $735 million in statewide economic activity."

Of the $92 million requested, $69 million of it is a one-time expense.

"The funding request includes $23.5 million in recurring operations and maintenance and another $69 million in one-time capital needs, including modernization of the Manns Harbor Shipyard, shoreline stabilization projects, dredging, and vessel propulsion and electrical upgrades."

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And then we have the politicians playing loose with the facts.

"“We’re spending about $25,000 per person, per year to support 700 people on Ocracoke,” Rabon said. “These numbers don’t add up, and we cannot ignore them.”"

That's the winter population of residents. It doesn't count winter visitors and part-time residents like us who come and go.
But the bigger half-truth is that Ocracoke provides access to Hatteras Island and the rest of the OBX. I can't count the number of people I've seen and talked to who are just passing through Ocracoke because they live in SC, GA or FL and are staying in Nags Head or Duck, etc.
One woman I talked to - you have to check in 30 minutes prior to departure so there's plenty of time for chatting - had spent the week in Avon with her son's famity and was taking the easy way back to VA Beach. Ocracoke to Swan Quarter to Eliz. City and on to her house.

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The NC Ferry Division budget request is for money to service the nearly two dozen ferries for all of their routes.

- Hatteras-Ocracoke: This route is a short, popular trip across the Hatteras Inlet, connecting Hatteras Island to Ocracoke.

- Ocracoke-Cedar Island: This route crosses the Pamlico Sound, connecting Ocracoke to the mainland at Cedar Island.

- Ocracoke-Swan Quarter: This is the longest of the seven routes, crossing the Pamlico Sound to Swan Quarter.

- Southport-Fort Fisher: This route connects the towns of Southport and Fort Fisher across the mouth of the Cape Fear River.

- Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach: This route crosses the Neuse River.

- Acre-Hobucken: This route crosses the Pamlico River.

- Bayview-Aurora: This route crosses the Pamlico River.

- Currituck-Knotts Island

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At the OBC discussion earlier this year, I had said that I wouldn't pay to trek to Ocracoke via the ferries. Been there numerous times as it is unique and took visiting friends there many a time. I have changed my mind...which I can do!

Thinking about renters at Brigand's Bay, and being me, I always reach out to get to know them and what gets them going. I have found out that many of them spend gas dollars driving to see the sweet horses in Corolla and doing things that tourists do, so I know that they will spend the dollars to drive 10 minutes down the road to hop on a ferry to see a beautiful island. So, I am changing my tune. I may not do it since I've been there a dozen times, but I feel sure that tourists will certainly pay the fare to see a unique island. I'll pay and go for events and such going forward as Ocracoke does have one of a kind events. Hoping though, I can go via personal boat (claustrophobic) being stuck for over an hour on a ferry....neighbor has a great route set up on Ocracoke for fishing down there.

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The last ferry ride I took was from Lewes to Cape May. I think it cost about $85 for my truck round trip, about an hour ride each way. I see no reason why every NC taxpayer should be subsidizing a free ferry ride for a few. It's very expensive to operate and maintain these boats. If you want to use the service, you should pay for your passage. Then the ferry service will be self-funded for its operating costs. Socialism only works until it runs out of other people's money.

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Yeah, I agree that plowing the snow from the roads in Chapel Hill and Asheville is socialism too. Heck, the roads are socialism at work.
So is painting and repaving the Wright Memorial bridges and the Basnight bridge.

Tolls me me, but not for thee? We can afford the tolls, but the people who live on the island and work there have to leave to go to the doctor, dentist, lawyer, Food Lion in Avon, whatever. They work hard and generate a huge amount of tax money for the state.

Wait until the folks in Raleigh calculate how much money they can generage every year if they put a toll on the bridges.
Be careful what you wish for.

The ferry from Hatteras to Ocracoke and Ocracoke to Cedar Island are part of Rt. 12.

"NC Route 12 is a scenic highway that follows the Outer Banks of North Carolina, linking communities and featuring coastal vistas, lighthouses, and dunes. It is part of the Outer Banks National Scenic Byway, a 138-mile route that includes ferry crossings to connect islands. "

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All of the other examples usually tossed out as justification have an alternative public route.
Ocracoke has one route - NC 12.

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It's been almost 15 years since my last trip to Ocracoke. I'd pay a toll for the ferry to scratch my Ocracoke itch every so many years.

It seems they could have a rate schedule to support the full-time residents who must use this ferry for their very existence and then a higher rate for those who visit the island for enjoyment. Almost everyone passing through Ocracoke to travel between points north and south are opting for the scenic option. They'd probably be happy to pay as well and it would save them some gas money over taking the faster way around.

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The last ferry ride I took was from Lewes to Cape May. I think it cost about $85 for my truck round trip, about an hour ride each way. I see no reason why every NC taxpayer should be subsidizing a free ferry ride for a few. It's very expensive to operate and maintain these boats. If you want to use the service, you should pay for your passage. Then the ferry service will be self-funded for its operating costs. Socialism only works until it runs out of other people's money.

Exactly.

I live in Lewes and use the Ferry to Cape May from time to time, and pay for the service.

I also see the many cars lined up to take the ferry in the summertime multiple times a day so I know others have no objections paying the fare.

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Yeah, I agree that plowing the snow from the roads in Chapel Hill and Asheville is socialism too. Heck, the roads are socialism at work.
So is painting and repaving the Wright Memorial bridges and the Basnight bridge.

Shall we veer off into a discussion about how people that drive EVs don't pay their fair share of highway taxes because they don't buy gas? It's just as relevant.

Tolls me me, but not for thee? We can afford the tolls, but the people who live on the island and work there have to leave to go to the doctor, dentist, lawyer, Food Lion in Avon, whatever. They work hard and generate a huge amount of tax money for the state.

As I said in the previous discussion, residents (perhaps all property owners?) can get an annual pass at a discounted rate, if not free.

Wait until the folks in Raleigh calculate how much money they can generage every year if they put a toll on the bridges.
Be careful what you wish for.

I'm sure they know. And I'll wager it's been discussed. There's toll roads/bridges all over the country.

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Shall we veer off into a discussion about how people that drive EVs don't pay their fair share of highway taxes because they don't buy gas? It's just as relevant.

States have already fixed that, but you knew that right Stumpy? I just renewed my registration on my plug-in Hybrid, a Chevy Volt. There is an extra charge for an electric or hybrid. Over $100 extra.

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Shall we veer off into a discussion about how people that drive EVs don't pay their fair share of highway taxes because they don't buy gas? It's just as relevant.

States have already fixed that, but you knew that right Stumpy? I just renewed my registration on my plug-in Hybrid, a Chevy Volt. There is an extra charge for an electric or hybrid. Over $100 extra.

I knew it was being discussed. I had not seen were it went into effect. Of course I don't have an EV or hybrid.

Using an even $100... that's equivalent to the 40¢ tax on 250 gallons of gas. My truck averages 15mpg, so 250 gals gets me 3,750 miles. Before I retired my 18 mile round trip to work came out to 4,500 miles a year.

My truck, my choice.

So let's say I drove a gas vehicle comparable to a Volt - I'll pick a Camry, which averages ~30mpg - then 250 gals gets me 7,500 miles. Google's AI answer says the average person drives 13,500 - 14,000 miles a year. That comes out to $180 - $186 in highway tax.


EDIT: Googled it...

"North Carolina has an extra annual registration fee for electric vehicles (EVs) to compensate for the loss of gas tax revenue. The fee is
$214.50 for fully electric vehicles and $107.25 for plug-in hybrid vehicles, which went into effect in January 2024."

I'm good with that. Like anybody cares whether I'm good with it or not.

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>>>$107.25 for plug-in hybrid vehicles<<<

Actually, that's exactly what I paid extra!

So states have been doing this for awhile now. Every state has different numbers. Some only charge electric cars, some include hybrids.

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Maryland fixed all of this by simply doubling the registration fee for cars, truck motorcycles and trailers. January 1 of 2025, this was implemented:
"Maryland has an annual surcharge for electric vehicles (EVs) that began in January 2025. The surcharge is $125 per year for a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) and $100 per year for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). These fees are in addition to standard registration fees and are intended to support the state's Transportation Trust Fund."
Yet we're still broke! We don't have a taxing problem; we have a spending problem.

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MD also doubled the boat registration and fishing license fees, vehicle emissions test fee, etc. I am sure there's more. Electricity has also increased 18% because 6 MD power plants were shutdown, so EV's are taking another hit there. I turned off the heat pump and we're just using oil and firewood for heat because those fuels are tax exempt.

We have a King Governor Moore (taxes) problem.

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Wes "Spend" Moore is destroying Maryland and has his eyes on Washington ! My registration for my 20 yr old 4 runner for one year is now $190 a year and he brags he didn't raise taxes !

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