Case Details

- Case Details:

Case Number:

2025-00160

Case Status:

Open

Utility/Industry Type :

Water Carriers

Utility/Industry Subtype :

None

Case Type :

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL

Case Subtype :

PROPOSED INCREASE IN RATES IN CASCO BAY

Pertaining to Utility/Company :

CASCO BAY ISLAND TRANSIT DISTRICT

Case Title :

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF PROPOSED INCREASE IN RATES IN CASCO BAY PERTAINING TO CASCO BAY ISLAND TRANSIT DISTRICT.

Initiating Filer :

CASCO BAY ISLAND TRANSIT DISTRICT

Case Start Date :

5/23/2025

Assigned Staff :

Dale.Coty,
Jordan.D.McColman,
amy.mills,
Hailey.Rizzo,
Janet.Couture,
Jason.Marco

View Case References

Filings (8) Data Requests (0)Public Comments (75) Active Party and Notification List (4) Assigned Staff (6)

Item No.	Date Filed	Description Of Filing	Filing Party	Filed By	No of Attachments	Deleted Filings
8	6/6/2025	Rebuttal Letter to CBITD Legal Counsel	Kelsey, Margaret	Kelsey, Margaret	1
7	6/6/2025	Initial Response to Request for Investigation	CASCO BAY ISLAND TRANSIT DISTRICT	Lightbody, John C	2
6	6/5/2025	Alternative Rate Structure	Kelsey, Margaret	Kelsey, Margaret	3
5	6/5/2025	Petition to intervene	Wendell, Mary Lou	Wendell, Mary Lou	1
4	6/5/2025	Online petition opposing rate increase with 350 signers	Wendell, Mary Lou	Wendell, Mary Lou	3
3	6/5/2025	Petition requesting investigation	Wendell, Mary Lou	Wendell, Mary Lou	5
2	5/27/2025	Notice of Filing; Opportunity for Comment	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	COMMISSION STAFF, CMS	1
1	5/23/2025	INCREASE IN RATES	CASCO BAY ISLAND TRANSIT DISTRICT	Lightbody, John C	6

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Posted By	Posted Date	Comments	Attachment(s)
Burnette, Mary J 39 Central Avenue, Peaks Island, ME Email ID: mj.burnette@yahoo.com Phone No.: 2077665933	6/7/2025	I wish to protest the vehicle rate increases requested by Casco Bay Lines to be effective 6/21/25. The request to increase winter and summer rates from $36.65 / $36.65 (winter) and $36.65 / $62.65 / $82.65 (summer) to $70. /$100. (winter) and $150. / $170. (summer) is beyond excessive. It will present a hardship to many Islanders. You can only get a break if you also purchase a passenger pass at $432. /$216. (annual) regardless of whether or not you ever use it as car rates include the driver. With this pass, you get a break on winter rates at $ 46. and summer rates at $46./@82.65 (depending on day of the week). Note, these charges are for a 15 minute trip. You can go to Vinalhaven for $41.50 / $55. (winter/summer) which is one hour and 15 mintues ! I have no issue with a reasonable rate structure, but the rates requested are not sustainable. And it's not like we have an option - there is only one ferry service available. We appreciate your consideration regarding these issues.
Scott Moseley 471 Island Ave Email ID: scott-moseley@comcast.net Phone No.: 781-266-7298	6/7/2025	I support the rate increase for non-commercial vehicles to Peaks Island. I recommend that an alternative pathway be provided to purchase discounted vehicle tickets. In particular, use the same qualifications for a Peaks Island Residential Boarding pass to enable the purchase of discounted non-commercial vehicle tickets.
Margaret Kelsey MHK Leadership 216 Island Ave. Email ID: kelseyfamily04018@gmail.com Phone No.: 2072744747	6/6/2025	It has come to my attention that CBITD counsel has submitted correspondence documenting why they believe an investigation is not warranted. As lead petitioner, I submit the following rebuttal, which is detailed more extensively in the attached memo, and summarized below: 1. Operating Loss Claims Are Misleading - Per the audit conducted by Berry Dunn, CBITD is not facing financial insolvency; it is operating within a grant-supported, federally typical subsidy model within expected margins. 2.Revenue Growth Already Outpaces Operating Loss Reduction - The fare system is already recovering, and the financial basis for urgency in vehicle fare increases is weak at best. 3.Public Process Was Procedurally Sufficient but Practically Inaccessible - Holding meetings at 7:45am when the majority of the public cannot attend due to commuting and holding normal workday position ruled out the opportunity for any real engagement. Additionally, CBITD claims 78 comments were received prior to rate approval, but overlooks to mention that 73% of these were in opposition. And yet, no major revision to the structure was made. Thus, in short: Public process was procedurally executed but lacked inclusive engagement or integration of dissenting feedback. 4. Rate Structure Disproportionately Harms Infrequent Travelers - Year-round residents who bring their car once or twice per month (e.g. seniors for medical needs) depending on the day they travel could see as much as a 309% increase in annual costs. And, the new structure encourages greater volume of frequent trips by pass holders (contrary to CBITD's congestion-reduction goals), while penalizing those who travel occasionally but depend on their vehicle for essential needs. 5.No Imminent Threat to Federal Grant Continuity - Outside of the daily news of our national executive office continually leveraging hyperbole, there is no concrete evidence that CBITD is at risk for losing any grants.	Rebuttal CBITD Counsel 6_6_2025.pdf
Marie Popovich 43 Meridian St, Peaks Island Email ID: mariepopo@sbcglobal.net Phone No.: 815-236-0313	6/6/2025	I am writing to strongly oppose the insane vehicle rate increase for Peaks Island. Decisions, especially of this magnitude, should be supported by data which the board has not yet provided. In addition, it would seem prudent and fiscally sound to explore many different options to help CBL shore up its finances, which also hasn't been mentioned. (For example, reduce the trips down bay, increase rates down bay, etc.) I fear that visiting Peaks will be cost-prohibitive and this rate hike may actually reduce car trips which may do the exact opposite of what this rate is intended to do. Please reconsider so Peaks doesn't become even more exclusive than it already is. Diversity is our strength.
Julia Nord 284 Seashore Ave Email ID: julia.c.nord@gmail.com Phone No.: 9786041754	6/6/2025	I do not support the proposed increase in rates, for 2 reasons: First, I don't believe there is sufficient data on the number of non-Islanders who take a car on the Peaks Island Ferry. I define "Islanders" as people who would have a 90-day or Annual transit pass. I believe the number of people who will be paying the higher rate to be relatively small. It is not clear what data was used to make the forecast upon which the rate increase is based. If the number of non-Islander vehicle ticket purchasers is unknown, there is no way to confirm that the new price will positively impact CBL's revenue position. Second, the delta between the lowest and highest fares is very large. $46 for the lowest vehicle fare and $170 for the highest. What this means is if family or friends come to visit us on Peaks and need a vehicle, the cost is prohibitive. There are many reasons visitors may need to take a car. Perhaps they have mobility issues, either long-standing or because of an injury. Maybe they are transporting infants or young children and all of the gear that comes with them. I understand the Handicapped plated cars will be treated differently, but there are mobility problems that don't warrant a special plate. The CBL Finance Committee agreed that Islanders with a pass could purchase a $46 ticket for a family member or friend, but only if the passholder travels on the ferry with the vehicle in question. Because of the enormous delta in cost, every Islander with a pass is going to feel obligated to travel to Portland to assist their family or friend. This is a huge inconvenience, but one we will be forced to take on. How could we not, when the delta in cost is $134? I would be embarrassed to make my friends pay that $170 rate. I understand CBL is not running a surplus and needs to find ways to get fiscally sound. I am willing to pay a higher rate for myself in order to make the visitor rate something acceptable. A single rate would also be easier to manage.
Andrew Doukas 673 Congress St Portland ME 04101 Email ID: ajdoukas@gmail.com Phone No.: 2078717232	6/6/2025	For the 3rd time in recent years we are again before the PUC, trying to halt the march towards gentrification of Peaks Island. But this time the Casco Bay Island Transit District Board has really gone overboard, trying to restrict vehicle service to the island by passing outrageous fees to those who may not bring a vehicle to the island often. Their proposed multiple classifications do not serve the islanders, and certainly do not serve the general public. The only result achieved is confusion as to who pays what. This is NOT the look of a Public Transporation Utility. The proposal reeks of discrimination against visitors, disguised as "cross-subsidization." It also fails to serve islanders who do not bring a vehicle across regularly. So, will the PUC once again throw their hands up and say "Yah, looks like they meet the letter of the statute," and let it slide through? Or will you actually do something about this wretched proposal?
Mary Lou Wendell Mary Lou Wendell 146 LEDGEWOOD ST Email ID: marylouwendell@gmail.com Phone No.: 2072105756	6/6/2025	Two petitions requesting an investigation into these proposed rate hikes have now been filed. Another online petition with 350 opposed signers has been registered with the PUC as well. All of these petitions charge the CBITD board with creating a rate increase proposal that violates the Casco Bay Lines' legislative mandate to operate "affordable" and "reasonable" rates. These petitions also charge Casco Bay Lines with discrimination against those islanders and others who don't commute, largely a lower-income group of residents, which is a charge that should be taken very seriously by the CBITD board and the PUC. Yet, CBITD attorney, John Lightbody, already filed a canned "initial response" to these petitions that doesn't even try to deny these allegations; he arrogantly and entirely ignores them! This smacks of a fait accompli in the works, suggesting that the CBITD board and their attorneys think so little of the regulatory authority of the PUC, they don't even need to address serious allegations of malfeasance and refusal to comply with state law. Mr. Lightbody's response to these petitions simply argues that the CBL followed the required process to implement their changes so an investigation isn't warranted. To the board members of the PUC: I implore you to take these complaints, petitions and embedded allegations seriously, to open an investigation and indefinitely delay any passenger ferry rate increase. To do otherwise will look as if the PUC has no interest in holding the CBITD accountable, which will likely trigger an even greater outcry to the state legislature. If the state legislature can create the CBITD, they can dismantle it as well, especially if the argument can be made that existing protections for oversight of the CBITD are falling down on the job.
Nancy Gibson Nash Illustration Institute 88 Welch Street Peaks Island, ME 04108 Email ID: nancy@illustrationinstitute.org	6/6/2025	To the P.U. C. I do not support the car ferry increase as it stands. I appreciate CBL's effort to accommodate those who have the means and/or need for an annual pass; the pending car ferry increase that will affect all others seems extreme and unfair. I am a co-founder of a non-profit arts organization that has, for nine summers now, tried to enrich the cultural fabric on the island by hosting renowned illustrators at the Faison Residency. The car ferry increase will hamper the enthusiasm with which these artists come to Peaks. A $170 trip to bring their car to park on island, where they rarely use it, will be a burden for most who are already traveling here at their own cost. They opt to bring a car because parking in town is limited & prohibitive for a two week stay. We can't imagine they will be or able to pay close to $500 or more just to leave and return a few times during their two week stay. Not only exploring more of Maine, but fetching another family member, or attending an off-island meeting in the midst of their residency would be prohibitive. Our potential residency artists may loose incentive - a loss to the cultural fabric, local businesses and general character of the island, and the state itself. We realize this is a particular concern for an organization, but our concern expands to those who do not have the benefit of an islander pass for whatever reason. Why not consider other thoughtful ideas such as a separate ferry run in the am & pm for construction workers by reservation, or a different fee for construction vehicles, or a graduated increase to allow folks to plan ahead accordingly? Why not a meeting on island for those who have difficulty attending the early morning Zoom meetings for considered feedback? We request that further consideration of constructive ideas be entertained in a wider forum, and expand the pace at which this decision is to be made , so more voices can be heard. Thank you.
Scott Nash Illustration Institute 88 Welch Street Peaks Island, Maine 04108 Email ID: iiscottnash@gmail.org	6/6/2025	To whom it may concern at the M.P.U.C. I am writing to voice my concerns regarding the proposed Casco Bay Lines car ferry rate hikes. Specifically, I'm afraid these rate hikes will jeopardize the arts and artists on our island. When my wife Nancy and I purchased our house on Peaks in 1996 the island was a thriving arts community with painters, musicians, writers and illustrators. In fact, there were so many illustrators connected to this place that we jokingly referred to it as "illustrator island". Then 2008 and the Great Recession hit us all, about the time Casco Bay Lines last raised their ferry rates. 2008 also marked the beginning of a mass exodus of artists from Peaks because they simply could no longer afford to live here. The rate hikes were a tangible, contributing factor to the cost of living for artists, along with a significant rise in property assessments, taxes the rise of Air b&b and the loss of winter rentals, all making Peaks inhospitable to important members of our community. The musicians were the first to go and were soon followed by other well loved artists. It's taken us many years to attract artists back to our community. As a result, the music is back, we have a new gallery on the island, and new arts organizations including our own non-profit Illustration Institute are all inviting artists to enrich this place. If we're not careful, these gains can be destroyed in a cultural instant as threats more extreme than those we faced in 2008 are unwittingly poised to break down what we have rebuilt. I fear Trump's economic mayhem, inflated property assessments, tax hikes, inflation and yes, inflated ferry ticket prices will once again drive artists and musicians off the island. I appeal to the P.U.C. to send this proposal back to Casco Bay Lines for further revisions with more community input to consider the cultural ramifications to our island home. Thank you, Scott Nash Co-founder, Illustration Institute
Jennifer Blomgren 167 New Island Ave Peaks Island, ME 04108	6/6/2025	This new rate structure is fundamentally flawed and if implemented will only serve to further punish people with fixed incomes and low incomes for the crime of being poor; limiting access to Peaks only to the rich. Many people cannot afford the large lump sum outlay of money to purchase a 90 day pass let alone an annual pass. And don't forget to add on the fee to be able to buy the discount car ticket in addition to the cost of the car ticket as well. How are elderly, sick or injured folks, or folks with mobility challenges expected to pay $170 each time they need to go to the doctor or physical therapy or even just the grocery store? Exorbitant increases in passenger car rates on the backs of some of our society's most vulnerable is not the answer to CBL's financial woes. It is unjust and despicable.

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Notification List Active Party List

Name of Person/Company	Representing Company	Mailing Address	Email/Phone/Fax
Giggey, Sharon		PO Box 9785 Portland ME 04104 5085	Email ID: sgiggey@mpmlaw.com Phone Ph: 207-523-8230 Fax: Fax: 207-773-8023
Hevey, Richard		112 State House Station Augusta ME 04333 0112	Email ID: richard.p.hevey@maine.gov Phone Ph: 207-557-0290 Fax:
Lightbody, John C	CASCO BAY ISLAND TRANSIT DISTRICT	PO Box 9785 Portland ME 04104 5085	Email ID: jlightbody@mpmlaw.com Phone Ph: 207-523-8217 Fax: Fax: 207-773-8023
Winther, Kristina R.		103 Water St, 3rd Floor SHS 112 Hallowell ME 04347	Email ID: kristina.r.winther@maine.gov Phone Ph: 207-624-3687 Fax: Fax: 207-287-4300

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Staff Name	Role
Coty, Dale	Support Staff
Couture, Janet	Support Staff
Marco, Jason	Staff Analyst
McColman, Jordan	Reviewer
Mills, Amy	Hearing Examiner
Rizzo, Hailey	Hearing Examiner

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