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Car Barge News
Car Barge News
FROM THE ST. JOHN SOURCE
V.I. Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe said Tuesday that VIPA is in discussions with barge companies regarding slightly extended hours that may relieve the congestion that has been impacting barge service between Red Hook and Cruz Bay since the beginning of the year.
Dowe spoke to a room full of St. John residents at a public meeting at Cruz Bay’s Legislature annex.
Barge passengers have reported increased lines and wait times since the seizure of the M/V Mr. B in January as part of a court case against the boat’s owner Boyson Inc.
Barge companies Love City Car Ferries and Global Marine have been working to fill in the gaps in service left by Boyson’s absence but, according to Dowe, VIPA has been receiving an elevated number of phone calls from residents frustrated with barge service between St. Thomas and St. John.
The V.I. Port Authority does not own any of the barges but manages the terminals from which they arrive and depart and sets the car ferries’ schedules.
Dowe said that immediately prior to Tuesday’s public meeting, he and Port Authority staff met with representatives of the barge companies in a closed meeting, also at the annex, to “speak frankly about what can be done to improve service.”
Although no plan was finalized, Dowe said barge companies are being asked to consider introducing additional trips after 7 p.m., currently the last barge run of the day. The authority is willing to consider keeping barge terminals open to accommodate a 9 p.m. run, Dowe said, but an 8 p.m. run would likely be introduced first to “test out” a later schedule.
“We have to bite the bullet and try to accommodate the commerce and the people of St. John,” Dowe said.
He told residents that during the closed meeting at least one barge company had agreed to consider a later barge run and VIPA has asked the companies’ recommendations to be put in writing for official consideration.
Dowe also said VIPA has told barge companies it is temporarily relaxing schedules to allow boats to make runs as soon as there is enough cargo to move, rather than being mandated to depart on the hour.
V.I. Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe said Tuesday that VIPA is in discussions with barge companies regarding slightly extended hours that may relieve the congestion that has been impacting barge service between Red Hook and Cruz Bay since the beginning of the year.
Dowe spoke to a room full of St. John residents at a public meeting at Cruz Bay’s Legislature annex.
Barge passengers have reported increased lines and wait times since the seizure of the M/V Mr. B in January as part of a court case against the boat’s owner Boyson Inc.
Barge companies Love City Car Ferries and Global Marine have been working to fill in the gaps in service left by Boyson’s absence but, according to Dowe, VIPA has been receiving an elevated number of phone calls from residents frustrated with barge service between St. Thomas and St. John.
The V.I. Port Authority does not own any of the barges but manages the terminals from which they arrive and depart and sets the car ferries’ schedules.
Dowe said that immediately prior to Tuesday’s public meeting, he and Port Authority staff met with representatives of the barge companies in a closed meeting, also at the annex, to “speak frankly about what can be done to improve service.”
Although no plan was finalized, Dowe said barge companies are being asked to consider introducing additional trips after 7 p.m., currently the last barge run of the day. The authority is willing to consider keeping barge terminals open to accommodate a 9 p.m. run, Dowe said, but an 8 p.m. run would likely be introduced first to “test out” a later schedule.
“We have to bite the bullet and try to accommodate the commerce and the people of St. John,” Dowe said.
He told residents that during the closed meeting at least one barge company had agreed to consider a later barge run and VIPA has asked the companies’ recommendations to be put in writing for official consideration.
Dowe also said VIPA has told barge companies it is temporarily relaxing schedules to allow boats to make runs as soon as there is enough cargo to move, rather than being mandated to depart on the hour.