Trouble Getting to Beautiful Mackinac Island May Have Been Resolved!

Last week I wrote about the difficulty in resolving the Mackinac Island Ferry Service fee problems.

(You know it's pronounced MACK-I-NAW, not Mack-I-nack for heavens sakes!)

The fees to get to and from the island had risen substantially from $34 to $51 in the blink of an eye, and Michigan tourism folks were very worried about the impact on one of the top tourist spots in the country. Would the average tourist be priced out and go somewhere else?

Beverly Kimberly on Unsplash

Without any ferry competition, Hoffmann Marine, the owners of both Shepler's and Arnold Transit, control the travel to and from the island.

👇 BELOW: SEE IF YOU CAN FIND MACKINAC ISLAND'S HIDDEN VILLAGE! 👇

Law suits were threatened, and the state legislature along with the attorney general got  into the mix saying negotiate this thing and make it work.

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According to the Michigan Senate Republicans report, "The Michigan House of Representatives voted to approve legislation sponsored by Sen. John Damoose to strengthen Mackinac Island’s authority to regulate fees related to ferry service." House bill 304 was sent to the governor to sign. Would she sign it?

She sure did. CBS News Detroit reports:

"Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed Senate Bill 304 into law on Wednesday, a step that expands duties under the Mackinac Island city charter to "all aspects of ferry service" rather than just the basic transportation rate.

The new authority includes a review of early or priority boarding fees, vehicle parking fees and baggage fees. Now Mackinac Island voters will have the opportunity to give their city council more authority over ferry transportation fees to and from their Michigan island community."

HOW DID ALL OF THIS GET STARTED IN THE FIRST PLACE?

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Originally Mackinac Island city officials denied a request from the ferry services for a $2 fare increase, so guess what? The ferry owners raised the rate for everything else, parking, baggage and bicycle transport. Instead of a two dollar increase, the total fees increased $16! That got someone's attention!

Now the Mackinac Island voters will go to the polls to vote on the proposal. But, will that solve the problem?

Who knows, but let's hope so. I want my fudge!