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The Ocracoke Access Alliance on Friday (July 24) called on members of the North Carolina General Assembly to delay the implementation deadline for new ferry tolls, urging lawmakers to amend the recently enacted state budget to provide the North Carolina Ferry Division and Board of Transportation adequate time to implement the law responsibly.
The 2025-2027 state budget, signed by Gov. Josh Stein, requires the Ferry Division to begin collecting tolls on all North Carolina ferry routes no later than January 1. The Alliance is requesting that the General Assembly revise that deadline to January 1, 2028, as part of anticipated technical corrections legislation.
“This is not a request to reconsider the General Assembly’s decision to authorize tolls,” said Justin LeBlanc, Alliance executive director. “It is a request to ensure the policy can be implemented in a way that is operationally sound, transparent and fair to the communities and travelers who depend on North Carolina’s ferry system.”
The Alliance noted the leadership of Sen. Bobby Hanig (R-1st) in seeking legislative language to delay the tolling implementation date and other ferry tolling provisions.
Implementing toll collection on every ferry route by January 1, presents significant technical and operational challenges.
Several ferry routes—including the Hatteras-Ocracoke route, one of the busiest in the state—have never before been tolled and operate on a high-volume, first-come, first-served basis. The Ferry Division’s existing reservation and toll collection system was not designed for those operations.
The Alliance noted that implementing tolls will likely require the development, testing and deployment of a new toll collection system, potentially utilizing E-ZPass or similar technology, before tolling can begin without causing unnecessary delays and disruptions.
In addition, the North Carolina Board of Transportation must establish toll rates for the newly tolled routes through a public process required by state law.
The Alliance argues that the current implementation schedule does not provide sufficient time for the board to conduct meaningful public engagement before adopting toll rates.
“A one-year extension would allow the Ferry Division to build the necessary infrastructure, provide the Board of Transportation time to complete a transparent public process, and ensure that toll collection begins in an orderly and efficient manner,” LeBlanc said. “Rushing implementation benefits no one and increases the likelihood of operational problems for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”
The Ocracoke Access Alliance has asked members of the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee and other legislators to support amending Section 43.15(d) of the budget so that the Ferry Division is required to begin collecting tolls for all ferry routes no later than Jan. 1, 2028.
The Alliance emphasized that its request is intended solely to provide a realistic implementation timeline and does not seek to alter the General Assembly’s underlying policy decision regarding ferry tolls.
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