The Island's representatives on the Steamship board and port council hosted a public forum at the Portuguese American Club on Thursday.
Vineyarders voiced their concern for the future of the Steamship Authority at a public forum held this week.
The informal meeting was hosted by the Island’s representatives at the ferry line at the Portuguese American Club Thursday. James Malkin, the Vineyard’s representative on the Steamship’s governing board, John Cahill, the Tisbury port council member, and Joseph Sollitto, the Oak Bluffs member on the council, fielded questions from the approximately 30 attendees for almost two hours.
The trio held the forum in order to talk directly with Islanders about how the ferry service is run, and what can be done to make it better.
Concerns and questions were raised about the ferry service’s outdated reservation system and the structure of the Steamship Authority’s governance, among other things.
About 30 people attended the event.
About 30 people attended the event.
“The concerns that you have about the SSA are the same concerns that we have,” Mr. Malkin said.
The Steamship Authority is in the middle of several large changes. The ferry service promoted engineer Mark Amundsen to the chief operating officer position – the second highest role in the company – last month, and is embarking on a search for a new general manager. The ferry line is also working to build a new terminal in Woods Hole and develop a new reservation system.
Mr. Sollitto began the forum by explaining the governing structure of the Steamship Authority and how the port council is involved. The advisory port council has two representatives from the Vineyard who meet monthly with members from Nantucket, Falmouth, Barnstable, Fairhaven and New Bedford to discuss recommendations for the board of governors. The board of governors, which has five members, oversees the general manager and the operation of the ferry service.
The board approves the Steamship’s budget, schedule, and large-scale projects.
“The general manager runs the Steamship Authority with the advice of the governance,” Mr. Sollitto added.
Mr. Malkin said one of the Steamship Authority main issues is a lack of communication with customers.
“There are a lot of really good people in the organization,” he said. “But there is a need for better communication.”
The capacity strain of the Steamship was another concern brought up by Mr. Malkin. Islanders often want to leave in the morning and come back in the late afternoon, creating high demand for some time slots.
“Part of the issue that we face right now is straining the capacity of the SSA at certain times,” he said. “Our infrastructure [also] isn’t built for the increase in population in the summer.”
A member of the public asked about the dynamics between Martha’s Vineyard and sister island of Nantucket. Mr. Malkin explained that Nantucket’s car traffic isn’t as high compared to the Vineyard.
“People from Nantucket don’t leave and come to the mainland as much as we do,” he said. “They don’t bring their cars when they do. The demand is very different.”
The Steamship Authority was established in 1960, and is tasked with providing transportation to the Vineyard and Nantucket. Private ferries are allowed to provide passage to the Islands, but need to get Steamship Authority approval.
One attendee brought up the idea of abolishing the Steamship Authority as a whole, to which the question of what the alternative would be was raised.
“I’m not sure that I want the state, say someone who is the chair of the transportation committee who may live in Worcester, making decisions on what this place needs for transportation,” Mr. Malkin said.
Mr. Malkin, Mr. Cahill and Mr. Sollitto said that they would like to continue hosting similar forums in the future so Vineyarders can voice their concerns.
“We are members of the public, and what’s happening is that the noise that was made about some issues has had unintended consequences,” Mr. Malkin said. “I don’t think it’ll serve us any good to burn bridges.”
Editor's note: a previous version of this article incorrectly attributed quotes to John Cahill. It has been corrected.
Comments
Sorry. I should change my
All good TisburySorry. I should change my name to
“All must go”. These three are stating the same rhetoric for years now.
Seriously , what happens if the SSA goes and is actually replaced with someone who is an administrator of the state elected government? A governor’s appointment of a Transportation Secretary? Why is that a bad thing? If it is, tell us what your view is and listen to why some think that it’s time. They shut dialogue down with THAT answer?
The island has been invaded over years with wash ashores maybe it’s time someone from the State takes over. MassPort is quite Well run.
Please email SSA Citizens'
Amy Cody ChilmarkPlease email SSA Citizens' Action Group at [email protected] and join our efforts to make effective changes happen at the Steamship Authority!
A Transportation Secretary
Joan Woods HoleA Transportation Secretary could be a good thing if modeled after the effectiveness of Pete Buttigieg. I'll bet he knows of some good candidates for General Manager. Anyone know how to get his attention?
As a member of the working
LynnV West TisburyAs a member of the working-class public, there are many who rely on the SSA system several times a week, facing exorbitant commuting and parking costs. The inadequate and unsafe conditions of SSA shuttles and boats, especially the Nantucket and backup freight boats, are significant concerns. Issues such as mistreatment when there is no available seating for both a person and a service dog, as well as a lack of safe seating during commutes, are particularly troubling. It becomes even more frustrating when these problems remain unaddressed, especially considering the financial burden we already face as commuters who pay for parking daily or annually. Like it or not, the Island needs us.
From the Gazette
Frank Brunelle TisburyFrom the Gazette
'In 1972, the Vineyard was largely undeveloped, a quiet place with a scattering of mostly modest summer homes. The natural landscape was unspoiled with broad, open vistas to the sea. There was no zoning except for small areas in the town centers.'
Fast forward in 1980 a second slip was added in Tisbury. This after a long battle to prevent unwanted development and to follow the SSA operating mandate to serve the needs of islanders, not to use it for tourism.
Incidentally, it has grown exponentially, and now buses circle the island, often empty just so tourism can flourish. Wisdom is not a word ever used in planning. We can complain, but it is too late. That second slip that was to be used only if a slip broke down, well, that set our course.
To Frank Brunelle’s comment.
Bob Morris Woods HoleTo Frank Brunelle’s comment. Just as SSA breaks commitments to MV about expanding their operations (second VH slip), Falmouth was given a commitment that slip 3 in Woods Hole would NOT be an active slip -ie to be used for maintenance, layovers etc. it is now most active, especially for regular use of all HAZARDOUS, tankers and septic.
Should the job qualifications for the new GM include ‘slippery, evasive and deceitful?
Hiring Suggestion: Include
Chuck Hodgkinson West TisburyHiring Suggestion: Include airline executives in your search for a leader. I would image the pool of qualified, available people with ferry experience is narrow.
The airline business is a match to the ferry operating challenges. Fleet optimization, rotating aircraft in and out of service for maintenance, space inventory management of discounted and full fare passengers, complicated reservation systems, unions, baggage handling, freight business, seasonal demand
Pointing fingers has limited
Island Gal EdgartownPointing fingers has limited value here. The Island would have grown regardless and then the SSA would have to adjust to the new needs of a larger island. MV historically has been and continues to be a tourist and 2nd home destination and that will not likely change although we have a much more solid year round community then ever before. So looking to the future, 5 10 or 20 years from now, we need to make sure there is enough capacity to meet the needs of the island people, the growing commuter population and summer homeowners. Maybe a 2nd boat for islanders only? (Patriot doesn't count) Newer boats? Why does the SASA always buy old used boats anyway?
Show up to SSA Board of
Amy Cody ChilmarkShow up to SSA Board of Governors and Port Council meetings to ask your questions and make your voices and concerns heard. Write emails to Bob Davis, SSA General Manager and directly to our Board of Governors MV rep, Jim Malkin, [email protected]
A fast ferry, high speed,
Lorraine EdgartownA fast ferry, high speed, people only, at specified times, would benefit the people.
How hard would it be to
Marty Milner TALLAHASSEEHow hard would it be to establish a "Passenger Bill of Rights" like airlines have? It helped them fill all of their seats and be held accountable financially when those profits failed to align with the service to all those paying customers. It should be outlined by the SSA- they know what isn't working and why.
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