PORTLAND, Maine — A fare hike for Casco Bay Lines island ferry service is moving forward despite pushback.
The Maine Public Utilities Commission ruled Tuesday that regulators will not launch an investigation into the proposed increase. It comes after part-time Peaks Island residents submitted a petition to the commission months ago.
“I think if you’re going to do a rate increase, it should be fair. It should be across the board,” Andrew Doukas, the man behind the effort, told NEWS CENTER Maine in May.
It is the first time the service has raised prices in 15 years.
Under the plan, a trip to Peaks Island would be $14 during peak season, which is nearly double the current rate. However, the change also cuts the costs of the 30-day and annual passes for residents.
"It's inherent in rate design changes that some customers will fare better, and others will fare worse," Commissioner Patrick Scully said at a PUC meeting Tuesday.
Scully said law does not require the commission to review and approve of rate increase proposals by the Casco Bay Island Transit District. Casco Bay Lines has said the fare increase is a result of budget struggles and rising costs.
"The principal concern raised here is more an issue of rate design rather than the actual revenue requirement," Scully said. "What I think it unique in this case is I think that statute expressly enables exactly the kind of shifting that this rate design will affect, and for that reason I will not disturb the district's decision."
The increase was set to go into effect June 1 but was put on hold pending the commission's decision.