In face of rising fuel costs, SSA raising fares
BY PETER A. SUTTERS JR. INDEPENDENT WRITER
Faced with soaring fuel costs, the Steamship Authority Board of Governors voted last week to raise the prices on all trips to and from both Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard.

At their monthly meeting, held in New Bedford, the board was told by management the boat line was facing a $1.5 million shortfall because of the increase in fuel costs and that had to be passed on to the traveling public.

Fares on the fast ferry Iyanough will increase from $30 to $32 one way, the traditional ferry passenger fares will increase from $14.50 to $16 one way; vehicles will see an increase of $5 one way, excursion tickets will increase by $10 and a five percent increase will be tacked on to fares for vehicles 20 feet and over because they are charged on a sliding scale, depending on length.

The increases will be effective May 1, so there is still time to purchase tickets at the old rate, including commuter books.

Nantucket representative to the board, H. Flint Ranney, said the board had been discussing the increase with management for a few weeks prior to the meeting.

"At the time, oil was $110 a barrel," said Ranney. "By the time we had the meeting last week, it was up to $115. Now it's up to $118."

Ranney said the board hoped the increase would cover the cost of fuel at least through the summer season, but now he is not so sure.

"I'm hoping that is enough," said Ranney, "but it's going up so fast we might have to consider another increase."

Ranney said an increase of $10 a barrel on crude oil translates to an increase of $1 million in fuel costs for the SSA.

At the same time that management and the board of governors are increasing prices for tickets to pay for fuel, the captains of the SSA's vessels are slowing the boats down to save on fuel already in the tanks.

Ranney said at last week's meeting that the board was informed the Iyanough has been running at 85 to 90 percent.

"We can run at reduced power and still make the schedule," said Ranney. "If that can save us $500,000 a year, I think it's worth it."

Ranney said he feels the increase in ticket prices will in and of themselves, not have a huge impact on people coming to the island this summer, but when coupled with similar increases in gas prices for motor vehicles, both on and off island, the island may start to feel

the pinch. I