Mackinaw Ferry Competition

[Alex]

Shepler's still provided service into November. They were given four tickets by the island for operating past the cut off time allowed to them.

[SofaKings]

Arnold is the only ferry that provides ice to ice service. Shepler's only serves during the sweet spot of the tourist season 5/1-10/31. Service for Arnold that late is unprofitable but the City doesn't want to give up that service for its residents. It's a tough situation but Shepler's negative PR attack on the Island and its residents isn't doing them any favors.

[Randy S]

What James Wynn, the owner of the Arnold Transit Company proposed was to form a new company if/when they merged with Star. The thing that didn't make sense to me - All of the companies are struggling, but hanging on. In the proposal set forth by Wynn, the *new* company - Northern Ferry Co - would have exclusive rights and would increase their franchise fee payments to Mackinac Island by up to 300% more than they are paying now, And lower their fares. It just doesn't add up. Sheplers has filed an anti-trust suit. No recent word of Sheplers actions since Mack Island has agreed to extend the current contract for 2 years.

[guest]

The fares for the Ohio ferries are not set by the free market, they are regulated. Any changes in fares have to approved by the Ohio Public Utilities Commission.

[Guest]

Yes, I have read all the previous comments in the press, I still don"t understand how limiting competition lowers fares. Kelleys Isl. to the east had two ferry lines, oversimplifying the 100+ yr company sold, fares did go up, but still within regional average. So what is charged to travel to Mackinac by three boat lines must be what the traffic will bear. And the traffic is supporting the buisnesses apparently.

[Alex]

The City of Mackinac Island has the authority, given them by their charter, to grant approval to boat companies for ferrying passengers to and from the island, which is being done by Arnold Transit Line, Shepler's Ferry, and Star Line. The idea of a single boat company serving the island has been discussed some time now between the City of Mackinac Island and the new owner of Arnold Line with the possibility of Star Line merging into Arnold Line. Shepler's has since challenged the idea of a single boat company with the pursuit of leaving all things as is. The City of Mackinac Island announced Thanksgiving Week that it will now accept contracts, binding for two years, from all of the boat companies.

[Angie]

I do not recall the exact details (see former news page stories for them), but my understanding was one of the ferry owners approached the government entity involved & proposed a merger of two of the lines & so-called cheaper ferry service...as long as the merged line was the exclusive ferry provider. It was a private individual behind the whole endeavor, not one of the cities.

[Guest]

Basic question is, how does eliminating competition, by consolidating two boat lines and eliminateing the third produce lower fares? As a resident of the Bass Islands in Lake Erie we are served by two privately owned ferry services, who also own both of their destinations. We have good affordable service. How can a government entity presume to tell a private service what they can charge and when to run?