A day on Mackinac Island — for most of us — requires a ferry trip. And those ferries are all owned by a Florida-based private equity firm.
Now, the island community’s local government is worried. They fear that rising ferry prices controlled by one company might dissuade people from making the trip, harming tourism, which powers Mackinac Island’s economy.
A bill introduced by state Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs) would give Mackinac Island the power to “control all aspects of ferry service.”
Mackinac Island is the only city in Michigan that does not have what’s called “home rule.” So state lawmakers would have to step in to allow the city government to change its charter.
Bridge Michigan regional editor Justin Hinkley has been covering this story along with reporter Paula Gardner.
The city has tried to control ferry ticket prices before.
"That's a matter of dispute right now," Hinkley told IPR. "The company and the island are in court. ... The island says its charter allows them to control ferry prices, especially when there's no competition. The ferry company says the island has no authority to declare that there is no competition."
The Hoffman Family of Companies argues that there is competition because there are two different ferry companies operating on the island. But both are owned by Hoffman.
