HARSENS ISLAND, Mich. (WXYZ) — Harsens Island residents are demanding answers about rising ferry rates after the dock collapse.
Residents are upset that repairs have not been made to the dock since it collapsed, and the company is raising the price of ferry tickets.
The owner of Champion Auto Ferry, which owns and operates Harsens Island Ferry, wants to raise the price of tickets to $12 after the collapse.
Residents are complaining that the ferry crashed into the dock because the ferry wasn't maintained. However, the owner says that's not true - the dock collapsed because it was old. He also says that it's taking longer to repair than initially promised.
"Less than a 1-mile ride across the waterway, a 2-minute ride is just not justified for $12," resident Maureen Boury said.
Some residents feel the current ticket prices should have been enough to maintain the ferry and the dock.
"We are at the mercy of privately-owned businesses, they don't have to answer to inspections," Boury said.
Right now, the ferry is just transporting people – not vehicles. The company says the ferry will begin transporting cars and trucks without trailers or loads at 6:00 p.m. Monday evening. In a message the company says they will operate their normal scheduled.
However, the company also says they will need a couple more days to carry trucks with loads and trailers. They will update their message when they are ready to transport them.
