Beginning Oct. 1, people transporting non-commercial vehicles between St. Thomas and St. John by barge will be paying an extra $2.50 each way to the Port Authority for the privilege.
Last August, the Port Authority board passed several measures to increase revenues. The $2.50 "wharfage fee" will finally be implemented, according to Port Authority spokeswoman Shirley L. Smith.
The fees will be collected at the Red Hook side for barging in both directions.
A chain link fence will be erected along the Port Authority's Red Hook cargo dock in preparation for the fee collections. Work on the fence is slated to begin this week. The Port Authority office shed currently sitting on the ferry dock will be relocated between the two barge ramps at the eastern end of the Port Authority's property.
Smith said the fence would not interfere with the parking lot operated by East End Taxi Service adjacent to the Port Authority cargo facility.
There is no plan currently to sell books of tickets for frequent barge users, but this might be considered later, Smith said.
According to Port Authority executive director Gordon Finch, the fees are earmarked to help fund two long-planned marine developments: the Enighed Pond cargo facility on St. John and a Red Hook marine facility on St. Thomas.
The cost of the Enighed Pond project is estimated at $16 million. The Red Hook facility is expected to run around $5 million.
A Port Authority release noted that commercial vehicles already pay a wharfage fee. But starting Oct. 1, it will be collected at the Red Hook dock.
