The Virgin Islands Public Services Commission is calling on residents to comment on a draft hearing examiner’s report on ferry rates and service between St. Thomas and St. John.
Symra Hendrickson, public communications coordinator for the PSC, said the commission opened the investigation to review ferry rates and service between Red Hook and Cruz Bay and between Charlotte Amalie and Cruz Bay.
“The Public Services Commission is required to investigate the rates and services of the utilities that we regulate at least once every five years,” Hendrickson said. “We’re conducting a rate investigation on that ferry service.”
As part of the process, the PSC hired a hearing examiner, who conducted his own investigation into the St. Thomas–St. John ferry franchise. Public hearings were held, and the examiner has now given the commission a draft proposal.
“He conducted his own investigation. We held public hearings, and we originally asked the community to provide us with commentary,” Hendrickson said. “Now he has given us a draft proposal, and now we’re just asking the public to comment on it.”
The draft report outlines the hearing examiner’s findings, what he recommends to the PSC and what actions the commission should take, Hendrickson said. Residents are being encouraged to review the draft and submit comments before the examiner prepares a final report and recommendation for the commission.
Hendrickson said all ferry rates are still under review and that no rates have been changed at this time. “Everything is still under review. No rates have been changed at this time,” she said.
Residents can comment not only on rates but also on the ferry service and any other concerns about the St. Thomas–St. John routes, Hendrickson said.
“It just shows his findings, what he recommends to us, what actions we should take,” she said of the report. “We just need the public to let us know what they think, if they agree, if they disagree, what other options we should look into.”
The PSC is encouraging residents to submit comments by May 13, though Hendrickson said feedback submitted afterward can still be considered as the process continues. She noted the May 13 deadline is intended for comments to be included in the hearing examiner’s current review process before a final report is prepared.
“After May 13, I don’t want people to think that it’s the end all be all,” she said. “If after May 13 you still want to submit a public comment, you still can.”
After the current comment period closes, the PSC will submit all public feedback to the hearing examiner, who will go back and adjust his draft before preparing a final report and recommendation for the commission.
Hendrickson said public participation is especially important because ferry transportation directly affects daily life for many Virgin Islands residents.
“We’re looking for public comment because it affects the public. That’s just the long and short of it,” she said. “Students ride the ferry. Commuters ride the ferry. There are people that travel from St. Thomas to St. John for work. There are people that own businesses in St. John that have to utilize the ferry every day.”
Residents can review the draft report and submit comments by email at psc.info@psc.vi.gov, by mail to P.O. Box 40, St. Thomas, VI 00804, or through links posted on the PSC’s website and Facebook page.
