Mackinac Island Ferry Service is in Trouble? Is There Help?

Mackinac Island, one of the top tourist and vacation spots in the U.S., has been having a dispute lately about ferry service. The island is worried about the cost of the service along with parking fees since both Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry and Arnold Transit Co. are now owned by the same company.

Without any competition, the owners, Hoffmann Marine, which is part of the Florida-based private equity firm Hoffmann Family of Companies, can seemingly do what they want with fees, and that worries all the businesses on the island who depend on tourists each season.

Law suits have been threatened, and the state legislature along with the attorney general have gotten in the mix saying negotiate this thing and make it work.

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Well now, we are finding out that according  to a Michigan Senate Republicans report, "The Michigan House of Representatives has voted to approve legislation sponsored by Sen. John Damoose to strengthen Mackinac Island’s authority to regulate fees related to ferry service."

WHAT DOES THE SENATE BILL DO?

"Senate Bill 304 would allow the city of Mackinac Island to regulate all aspects of ferry service, including additional fees charged for services like parking, priority boarding and baggage."

Finally, they are making some progress since Northern Michigan is worried about the ferry service with prices having risen dramatically. That is a problem since those fees could price families out of traveling to the island and the U.P. and vacationers might go elsewhere.

The Michigan Senate Republicans report says, "Now the bill goes to the governor. If signed, the proposal would be placed on the ballot during the next local election. In order to take effect, it also must be approved by a majority of Mackinac Island voters."

Is there light at the end of the ferry tunnel? Stay tuned!