About two dozen Islander raised concerns and urged the Steamship Authority to seek advice from the community at a forum on the ferry line’s draft 2026 budget Thursday. 

Steamship treasurer Mark Rozum and assistant treasurer Courtney Oliveira broke down the $162 million proposed budget before taking questions from the audience at Oak Bluffs town hall. 

To make up for a projected $7.4 million gap between revenue and expenses, the Steamship Authority is proposing fare hikes across the board, including for excursion tickets for the first time in four years. At Thursday’s forum, Mr. Rozum attributed the shortfall to the rising cost of maintenance for the ferries and terminals, employee training and information technology, including the new reservation system that is under development. 

Overall, an average of 5 per cent increase was proposed to fare, parking and freight charges. 

“The key to our business and our core mission is to keep the boats running,” Mr. Rozum said. “That’s what we’re the lifeline for. It’s pretty simple. That’s what we need to do, and that’s what we need to focus on.” 

Concerns about the rate increase on discounted excursion program for Islanders and who qualifies for that rate were raised by several attendees. Designed to provide residents with a cheaper option for getting on and off the Island, the excursion rate would go up between $1.75 and $2.75 depending on the time of year under the current proposal.

In past presentations to officials, Mr. Rozum has said they’ve found some people have used the excursion program upwards of 200 times in a single year, leading to questions about if a small number of users are abusing the system. Tisbury resident Jeff Kristal proposed cracking down.

“The program should clearly and fairly serve those who live here for 12 months out of the year, the people who depend on the service for the basic rhythm of our daily life,” he said. “It should not be abused by those who vacation here or maintain a second home. The intent of the excursion rate is sound, and it just needs to be better aligned with the reality of the Island.” 

The Steamship Authority has been looking at a tier system for excursion rates, as well as how the new reservation system may be able to streamline the program, according to Mr. Rozum. 

“We were looking at bifurcation between this budget and next year, within leveraging what the new reservation system can do,” he said. “One of the topics that we really push the deep dive is excursion rate, what we can do to enhance it and limit it. We will be reaching out with community forums and getting input from Island residents and how we can work together to preserve the program that you guys so much depend on.” 

Another concern brought up was how much money is being set for the advertising, which under the proposed budget totals to approximately $1.3 million. 

“What is the PR firm doing?” asked Edgartown resident Beth O’Connor, a member of the recently formed Steamship Authority Citizens’ Action Group. 

West Tisbury resident and Dukes County commissioner Doug Ruskin also voiced his displeasure with the money for advertising.  

“The Island is the attraction, not the ferry, and there’s no reason in my mind, never has been, to advertise,” he said. ”It just doesn’t make any sense.”

Oak Bluffs select board member Dion Alley encouraged the Steamship Authority to continue reaching out to Islanders so the Vineyard can help shape the ferry line’s future plans.  

“You have a wealth of information and expertise from people who live on these Islands,” he said. “Don’t keep it insular. Make sure that you reach out and make this a community project.”