The N.C. Ferry System's M/V Croatoan on the Cape Fear River between Southport
and Fort Fisher.
WILMINGTON – The North Carolina Board of
Transportation Thursday approved a request from the Cape Fear Rural Planning
Organization and the Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization to increase
tolls on the N.C. Ferry System’s Southport-Fort Fisher ferry route.
The toll for a vehicle less than 20 feet in length will go from $5
to $7, tolls for vehicles between 20 feet and 40 feet will go from $10 to $14,
and tolls for vehicles larger than 40 feet will go from $15 to $28. However, the
toll increase will not affect commuter passes, which will remain at $150 per
year. Tolls for pedestrians, bikes and motorcycles will remain the same.
Under a law passed by the General Assembly in 2013, all toll
changes must be requested by local transportation planning organizations and
approved by the Board of Transportation. Revenue raised by a tolled route
automatically goes into a Vessel Replacement Fund for that specific route.
The new tolls will take effect August 15.
This is the first toll increase on any ferry route since 2002. The
fare increase does not affect fares for any other ferry route.