BALD HEAD ISLAND — Disputes over scheduling changes proposed to a local island’s ferry has been resolved without litigation before the North Carolina Utilities Commission.
READ MORE: Bald Head Island intervenes in request to decrease ferry frequency, appeals sale decision
The Village of Bald Head Island announced Friday that with Bald Head Island Club, Bald Head Association, and the Bald Head Academy, a settlement was reached with Bald Head Island Transportation (BHIT). There will be a hybrid schedule implemented for its ferry system, consisting of both 60-minute and 90-minute round trips.
The “hybrid” schedule is available here and the parties have agreed to stipulations, such as:
- Continued 30-minute ferry runs in the early morning from 6 a.m. – 9 a.m. and evening beginning at 6 p.m.
- Establish a one year “trial period” after which BHIT has committed to making additional changes should the hybrid schedule result in significant capacity issues
- Establish a bi-annual performance review between parties
- Eliminate the existing mid-day lunch break
- Establish a reservation system for employees and contractors on the contractor ferry
The transportation system is in the process of selling the ferry and assets to SharpVue Capital and earlier this year submitted an application to the North Carolina Utilities Commission to reduce ferry frequency. Its goal was to improve on-time performance by altering all round trips from 60 to 90 minutes, by proxy, creating fewer ferry times for passengers. It would eliminate two runs on average daily to accommodate the changes.
However, BHIT noted it would keep the employee ferry operating on the same schedule.
Bald Head Academy, the island club, town village and Bald Head Association petitioned to intervene on the changes, concerned about its impacts. Letters submitted to the utilities commission indicated customers worried long wait times would make it more difficult to travel to the island, thus resulting in attracting less residents, businesses and tourists.
Bald Head Association, representing the island’s property owners, and the mayor claimed the changes would concentrate more people onto fewer ferries and would not align with the island’s growth.
BHIT said it wasn’t meeting punctuality goals; in 2023, it only reached 76%, less than its desired 95%.
According to a release from the Village on Friday, a full agreement wasn’t reached due to concern about capacity shortfalls, particularly in the shoulder and high seasons when employee and visitor traffic peaks.
The intervenors admitted the ferry’s recent change to its the reservation system and luggage limits improved performance, reducing “bump boats” and providing a better passenger experience
To foster a better working relationship, parties will meet periodically to assess the new schedule’s performance. BHIT agreed to share more information as it understands impacts of passenger behavior under the new reservation system as to alleviate capacity concerns.
The transportation system also has informed the parties it intends to discontinue its ICard system — a benefit to island businesses and organizations for employee cardholders to be scanned upon boarding the ferry. The bills are sent to the employers monthly.
“The Village and other Intervenors have communicated their concerns about the impact this change will have on island organizations and has encouraged BHIT to work with impacted businesses through this transition,” the release detailed.
Have tips or concerns? Email info@localdailymedia.com.
Want to read more from PCD? Subscribe now and then sign up for our newsletter, Wilmington Wire, and get the headlines delivered to your inbox every morning.
