Current News
Updated: 11/8/21
MSP informed HITA on 11-9 that residents wishing to make their opinion known about the proposed ferry rate increase need to file a consumer complaint, please visit https://www.michigan.gov/ag/ and scroll down to the "file a complaint" section.
Meeting with HITA 11/5/21
A HITA representative met with Jake Bryson on November 5th to talk about the proposed ferry rates and islander’s frustration about the service. Here are the takeaways from that meeting.
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There is a proposal to Michigan State police for a ferry rate increase. The decision will be on or about November 13th.
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The justification for the rate increase is for the cost of inflation and for higher wages for deckhands and ferry captains. They are having difficulty recruiting both deckhands and ferry captains.
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The rate increase will be effective January 1, 2022.
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The full ferry rate will be $15.00 per round trip. This represents a $3.00 per ticket increase or a 25% increase.
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A book of tickets will increase $1.00 per ticket ($200.00 for a book of 20 tickets). This represents a 11% increase.
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The motorcycle/moped rate will increase by $1.00 per round trip.
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We did talk about the erratic ferry hours and the backups the users of the ferry are experiencing. Again Jake indicated they want to provide a consistent ferry schedule but that is difficult until they hire more staff.
October Updates
10.31.21
Late on October 29, 2021, HITA was informed that Champions auto ferry is seeking a rate increase. We are still in communication with the Michigan State Police to dispute the legitimacy of an increase. We also called Champions to set up a meeting. We were told that they are too busy to meet with us. We want to assure you that we are working on many different fronts to address these issues. Feel free to contact Senator Dan Lauwers and the Michigan State police, Jessica Kines 517-824-8218 and Senator Dan Lauwers at 517-373-7708 to voice your concerns.
10.26.21
HITA has requested a meeting with Champions Auto ferry owners to address the interrupted ferry service to the island. We have yet to hear back about a meeting. In the meantime, if you are upset about the long ferry lines please contact Senator Dan Lauers at
517-373-7708 to express your concerns!