RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Ferry Division presented proposed toll rates for every state ferry route to the Board of Transportation on Thursday, including first-time fares on four routes that are free today, and the board then asked lawmakers for more time before the Jan. 1 start date.
Under Session Law 2026-41, tolls must begin on all ferry routes by Jan. 1, 2027. The four routes that would lose free service are Hatteras-Ocracoke, Aurora-Bayview, Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach and Currituck-Knotts Island. Ferry Division Director Jed Dixon presented the recommended rates during the Thursday morning meeting.
The proposal sets a $10 one-way toll for vehicles under 20 feet on Hatteras-Ocracoke, with $20 for vehicles 20 to 40 feet and $30 for vehicles 40 to 65 feet. Motorcycles, scooters, golf carts and ATVs would pay $5, bicycles $2 and pedestrians $1. The three other newly tolled routes would charge $7 for standard vehicles, $14 for mid-size combos and $28 for the largest vehicles.
Rates on the three routes that already charge tolls — Cedar Island-Ocracoke, Swan Quarter-Ocracoke and Southport-Fort Fisher — would stay unchanged under the recommendation. The division estimates the new schedule would generate an average of $4.4 million a year, which Dixon said falls short of the revenue needed to meet long-term vessel replacement goals required by the law.
Board member Mike Fox moved that the board ask the General Assembly for more time, citing a rushed timeline. Board member Lisa Mathis seconded, and the resolution passed without opposition. Fox had initially floated a delay until at least April 1, 2027, but the final vote asked only for additional time to study and implement the system. Any change to the Jan. 1 deadline still requires legislative action.
State law also creates a $150 annual commuter pass for active-duty military and eligible permanent residents in coastal counties, covering one vehicle on all ferry routes. Dixon said passes should go on sale online and in person in November. A second public comment period runs Friday through Oct. 23, and the board is scheduled to act on the rates and rate-setting method on Nov. 5.
