Mackinac Island residents now have legal control of the cost of ferry service back and forth to the mainland.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer yesterday signed a bill that grants the voters of the City of Mackinac Island the opportunity to amend their charter and allow the city to regulate all aspects of ferry service.
The legislation came after the two remaining services, Shepler’s and Arnold Transit, were both purchased by the Hoffman Family of Companies, which is based in Florida.
Hoffman had hinted that it might end ferry service after this season if a favorable new franchise agreement isn’t negotiated.
Residents and visitors told legislators that the total cost of passage to Mackinac Island has increased from $34 to $51 after the Hoffman Company raised ancillary fees for parking, extra baggage, and bike transport.
If approved, a charter change could give islanders control of all of those fees, except for those already under the control of other municipalities.
Mackinac Island City’s longtime mayor, Margaret Doud, hailed the decision, and said the ballot proposal will be presented quickly. It will need to be approved by a majority of the city’s voters.
