Manns Harbor—The Hatteras-Ocracoke ferry route will change to new, intermediate fall schedule Sept. 23 that will run through Monday, Nov. 10.
This change will take the route from its summertime peak of 36 departures from both sides each day down to 30.
“We are constantly evaluating traffic patterns and passenger loads to get the best bang for the taxpayer’s buck,” said Ferry Division Director Ed Goodwin. “This intermediate fall schedule allows shoulder season traffic easy access to Ocracoke and Hatteras Islands, while also allowing us to back off our peak season schedule a little earlier.”
In the past, the Hatteras Inlet route went directly from its summer schedule to its winter schedule in early October.
Beginning Sept. 23, the schedule for the Hatteras-Ocracoke route will be as follows:
Departing Hatteras: 5 a.m., 6, 8, 8:30, 9,9:30, 10, 10:30, 11, 11:30, Noon, 12:30 p.m., 1, 1:30, 2, 2:30, 3, 3:30, 4, 4:30, 5,5:30, 6, 6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 9, 11, and midnight.
Departing Ocracoke: 4:30 a.m., 6:30, 7:30,9:30, 10, 10:30, 11, Noon, 12:30 p.m., 1,1:30, 2, 2:30, 3, 3:30, 4, 4:30, 5, 5:30, 6,6:30, 7, 7:30, 8, 8:30, 9, 9:30, 10:30, and 12:30 a.m.
The Hatteras-Ocracoke winter schedule will begin Tuesday, Nov. 11, with 18 departures from both sides each day. Other ferry routes also will make seasonal schedule changes. The Cedar Island-Ocracoke route will switch Sept.30, to its fall schedule, while the Swan Quarter-Ocracoke and Southport-Fort Fisher routes will transition to their off-season schedules.
Schedules for all seven North Carolina ferry routes can be found online at http://www.ncdot.gov/download/transit/ferry/ferryschedule.pdf.
–NC Ferry Division press release
