The Village along with the Bald Head Island Club, the Bald Head Association, and the Bald Head Academy are pleased to announce that they have reached a settlement with Bald Head Island Transportation (BHIT) on changes to the ferry schedule. This settlement will help to resolve disputes and avoid the need for litigation before the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC).
In February, BHIT filed an application with the NCUC to revise the passenger ferry schedules in order to improve the on-time performance of its passenger ferry service. The application proposed to move from the current 30 minute one way/60 minute round trip to a 45 minute one way/90 minute round trip schedule.
The Bald Head Academy, the Bald Head Island Club, the Village of Bald Head, and the Bald Head Association petitioned to intervene in the proceeding. While each generally agreed that the proposed schedule would improve on time performance by allowing the ferry more time to onload passengers and luggage, traverse the river, and offload passengers and luggage, each also wanted to understand the impacts of reduced ferry capacity due to fewer ferry runs.
All Intervenors want to acknowledge that recent changes to ferry operations, such as the improved reservation system and luggage limits among others, have improved on time performance, a reduction in the number of “bump boats”, and an improved passenger experience during the 2024 peak season.
Since the application was filed, the Intervenors sought input from many other BHI stakeholders and after several months of information sharing sessions between BHIT and the Intervenors, the parties have accepted a “hybrid” schedule (view HERE) and stipulations that address most of the concerns of the Intervenors including, but not limited to the following:
- Continued 30-minute ferry runs in the early morning from 6 am-9 am and evening beginning at 6 pm
- Establish a one year “trial period” after which BHIT has committed to making additional changes should the hybrid schedule result in significant capacity issues
- Establish a bi-annual performance review between parties
- Eliminate the existing mid-day lunch break
- Establish a reservation system for employees and contractors on the contractor ferry
The primary issue preventing full agreement pertains to the Intervenors concern about capacity shortfalls at specific times in the shoulder season and high season when employee and visitor traffic is at its peak. BHIT has shared that as they gain more experience understanding the impacts of passenger behavior under the new reservation system, they believe the hybrid schedule will reduce or eliminate the Intervenor’s capacity concerns. The Intervenors have agreed to allow BHIT to demonstrate that the hybrid schedule will minimize those concerns and BHIT has agreed to provide information and meet with the interested parties periodically to assess schedule performance.
Unrelated to this settlement, BHIT has communicated to the Intervenors its intention to eliminate the “ICard” system, which has been a longstanding benefit to island businesses and organizations. This system allows for an employee card holder to have their card scanned upon onboarding, with a monthly bill sent to the employer for payment. The Village and other Intervenors have communicated their concerns about the impact this change will have on island organizations and has encouraged BHIT to work with impacted businesses through this transition.
Lastly, all parties wish to acknowledge the cooperative nature of the deliberations and negotiations by all involved. Communication and relations with all stakeholders have improved throughout this process. Most importantly, ferry users should expect an improved ferry experience and regular review of ferry performance to accommodate BHI’s needs.