Anyone interested in being filmed on-camera about the ferry rate increase between St. Thomas and St. John please email: ebivens@wtjx.org ASAP (by Thursday 11/5/09).

Another rate increase???? My god when will it end? It wont be long now before it is $10.00 from STT. to St. J.......PP 1 way PLUS bags..

Imcneil1125,

Yes the rates are due to go up on November 9th.

Current Red Hook Rates are: $5.00/Adults and $1.00/Children ages 2-11. Seniors are $1.25 (VI Residents only, 62 years and up, proof of age must be shown.

New rates: $6.00/Adults and $1.00/Children ages 2-11. Seniors are $1.50 (VI Residents only, 62 years and up, proof of age must be shown

And current Charlotte Amalie rates are: One-way, $10.00/Adults and $3.00/Children ages 2-11. Seniors are $5.00 (VI Residents only, 62 years and up, proof of age must be shown).

New rates: One-way, $12.00/Adults and $3.50/Children ages 2-11. Seniors are $6.00 (VI Residents only, 62 years and up, proof of age must be shown).

Bags are currently $2 a piece; new rate for bags is $2.50.

--Islander

Islander: I believe that to get the Senior rate you have to be over 60 *and* have a card from (?) the Department of Human Services- I know the office is in the old hospital. Hey, I personally don't have one , but know someone who does. If you are over 60, you can get all sorts of discounts with this card, but the ferry fare is the best!

I actually wonder when someone will legally challenge this. If it is for "seniors", visitors should be permitted also to get the rate.

What is the reasoning for raising the rates? I swear I had read not to long ago that they raised the rates.

They are talking about cutting down the downtown runs permanently... and shortening the evening schedule btw downtown and Cruz Bay... we'll see what happens.

are the increases only for passenger ferry or the vehicle barge also? If so, do you know those increases?

Well, people have to get to St. John somehow so they will pay it. Although it's like the airlines just nickel and diming people with any new or increasing fee's on anything they can come up with. When we return to St. John I wont like it but will have to pay whatever the rate is at that time. Now the luggage fee really has me mad. That's just crazy but again no different then the airlines.

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lmcneil1125
April 13, 2007 - I also heard along with the ferry rates there's now a $3.00 per bag fee. Is that correct? Not a big deal to us just wondering. If someone cant go to the St.John and afford that then there in big trouble. lol Thanks for any and all up-dated information. I like to be a very informed vacationer.

Leslie, Based on your previous postings you haven't visited since 2003. In Michigan haven't the cost of basic services increased at all in the past six years? The driving force behind the ferry costs are: fuel costs, and government security/accountability requirements. Very interesting article in yesterdays Daily News, "New tickets slated for ferry passengers", about the $100,000 investment in equipment to issue tickets for the ferry. And, the $50,000 to purchase four turnstiles. Basically, these improvements are needed to try and collect the 1996 mandated 50 cents per passenger marine tariff. You know the old saying: "You have to spend money to make money" and the end user ends up paying for all this accountability.

East Ender - thanks for the note about 60+ for the senior rate. The age I noted of 62 is what the ferry folks have told us... will double check it.

speedr1023 - the car barge prices haven't changed.

--Islander

The 62 sounds right as this is the age when VI residents can obtain the Senior Citizen card which, yes, you get from Human Services located in the old Knud-Hansen Hospital. 50% off car registration is also a nice bennie!

You get the senior card at 60.

The ferry accepts the card as proof for the senior rate.

On my way down there tomorrow - the old hospital or the really old hospital?

Well, ExitZero, you are probably already the proud recipient of the Old Fart Card as I write unless that demon witch security guard at the entrance wanded you over with a metal detector and gave you lots of teeth sucking in response to simple directional questions! My trip there was a trip indeed and hilarious in the aftermath.

FI, you're right. I got mine at 62 when I thought it WAS 62 but I was finally able to reach a lady from that department this morning and she confirmed that it is indeed 60. You just have to take with you proof of age and residence and you're all set to get the card.

Islander, could be that 62 WAS the age a few years ago but, as FI noted, the local senior card is proof enough for the ferry operators. And, Islander, not a bad idea to incorporate this info onto the relocation forum. Since visitors are excluded it's not an issue for them.

EE, I do see your point about extending such discounts to senior visitors but logistically I don't see how that would work where the ferry operators are concerned. They'd be checking IDs from various states and that would be such a melee for them.

Given that being a senior citizen here is incredibly difficult unless you continue working full time or are a retiree with mega bucks, the little perks that VI Senior Citizens can take advantage of are just a small but welcome drop in the bucket.

As said, the 50% discount on my car registration is a biggie for me, the discount from Western Auto for new tires was a Godsend and if I want to go to the movies at Market Square East I can get in relatively cheaply. And I can get a discount on food items when I shop at PlazaExtra.

Apologies for rambling on!