Quick Facts About the Proposed Ocracoke Ferry TollThe current proposal would:
Place a $10 toll each way on the Ocracoke/Hatteras ferry
Double the cost to ride the mainland ferries
10X the cost for a resident pass
Exceptions would be limited to emergency vehicles only
We don't want special treatment - on the contrary, we don't want to be singled out as the only NC residents who would have to pay a toll in order to come and go from home.
Toll free does not mean a 'free ride.' On the contrary, we are already paying once whenever we pay the state gas tax which funds the Department of Transportation and the Ferry Division. It's the same fund that keeps NC bridges and highways toll free. We don't think it's fair to have to pay twice.
The proposed O/H ferry toll would raise less than one tenth of one percent of the DOT budget - the huge cost to Ocracokers and Hyde County is way out of proportion to the small benefit to the State.
Ocracoke needs tourism and Hyde County needs Ocracoke. Ocracoke businesses would be hurt by a 'tourism tax.' Much of our business is day-visitors many of whom would be discouraged from coming by the additional $20 toll. The potential gain to the state coffers by a toll would likely be lost to a decline in much needed revenue to Hyde County.
Thank You for signing the petition - it will be hand delivered to key legislators next week.
We the undersigned strongly urge the members of the North Carolina State Legislature and the Governor to include the Spear Amendment in the final version of the 2011-2012 budget,recognizing Ocracoke Island's unique situation with regard to ferry access.
We are not seeking special treatment for Ocracoke, on the contrary, we are seeking to prevent Ocracoke from being singled out as the only location in the North Carolina highway system which can only be accessed by paying a toll. We thank you for your attention to this issue and we invite you to come and visit.
