Proposed Ferry Increase Could Mirror Previous Controversies

Two of the only tolls in Connecticut are slated to see increases that would double fees. Those who ride the two Connecticut River ferries, the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry and the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry, would be forced to take on more of the burden. Vehicle fares would go up on July 1, 2013 from $3 to $6 while fares for walk-on passengers and bicyclists would go up from $1 to $2. The Discount Coupon Book, currently priced at $40 for 20 coupon tickets would be increased to $80. The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry is on Route 148 while the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry is on Route 160, both on state scenic roads. The Day newspaper reported that the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry carried 37,811 vehicles and 6,290 bicyclists or pedestrians in 2012, according to Connecticut Department of Transportation spokesman Kevin Nursick, who also said that the operational loss was $297,481. The closest Connecticut River crossings to the Chester-Hadlyme Ferry are the East Haddam Swing Bridge (5 miles away) on Route 82 and the Baldwin Bridge (10 miles away) on I-95 and Route 1 in Old Saybrook. The nearest crossings to the Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry are the Putnam Bridge on Route 3 (4 miles away) in Glastonbury and the Arrogini Bridge (10 miles away) on Route 17 and 66 in Middletown. On the Save the Connecticut Ferries Facebook page, the page’s author said that “no other state road in CT has a toll. How about cutting some fat off the multi-million dollar busway? Raise the fares too high and we will lose the oldest continually operating ferry in the USA.” On the page, Samantha Van Jeune said, “I am not a daily commuter but do use the Chester-Hadlyme ferry. I will not use it as frequently as I used to if the fare is going to be $6. It's a shame though. I think doubling the cost is only going to hurt the ferries in the long run.” Laura Whaples Petrix stated, “$12 is pretty steep if you're taking it both ways, which I was planning to do a lot once work on the Putnam Bridge becomes annoying.” However, Shannon Willard Weigle, said, “seems reasonable to me. Perhaps they can keep the commuter rates still low but for an infrequent user that is touring the area, a $6 trip still seems like a steal for one of the prettiest rides in CT.” A DOT news release stated that “the increases are necessary to offset the rising operating costs that have occurred over the years. Fares have not been raised since 2003.” In fact, that rate increase were a hot topic, fares were raised 120 percent from $2.25 a vehicle to $5 and $0.75 for passengers and cyclists to $1.75. They were later decreased to the present-day rates.  DOT Commissioner James P. Redeker was quoted in the news release stating, “We are committed to maintaining the ferry operations serving tourists, commuters, pedestrians, and bicyclists alike. Raising the fares has been carefully considered. Fare increases are never popular, but costs for operating the ferries have consistently been greater than passenger revenues, resulting in a state subsidy of $651,000 in the most recent fiscal year.” The release also stated that a couple recommendations from the Connecticut River Ferry Task Force, a group of concerned citizens, have been implemented. New “Historic Connecticut River Ferry” signs are being erected and “environmentally compliant engines” were recently installed in both ferries.  The state threatened to close both ferries down in 2011 causing much controversy before the unions approved a concessions deal. The story was featured on CBS’s Sunday Morning and covered by a number of media outlets.  Public meetings will be held regarding the fare increases on May 20 at 6:30 p.m at the Rocky Hill Community Center Room 1 and May 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Chester Meeting House.  The Chester-Hadlyme Ferry runs from April 1 to Nov. 30 from 7 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., Monday thru Friday and from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The Rocky Hill-Glastonbury Ferry runs from May 1 to Oct. 31 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Friday and from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.