Saturday, September 5, 2026
By Outer Banks Voice on August 6, 2026
As a number of coastal officials voice their opposition to the ferry tolling plan in the new state budget, NCDOT’s Ferry Division has announced it will hold five public listening sessions in September as it moves to put the plan in effect.
The budget requires the Ferry Division to begin tolling all untolled routes by Jan. 1, 2027. It also requires the establishment of a $150 annual pass to be made available to permanent residents of 20 North Carolina coastal counties.
“We are committed to transparency and will communicate regularly, especially with affected communities, as the implementation plan is developed,” Ferry Division Director Jed Dixon said in the announcement.
NCDOT noted that tolls are currently collected on vehicle ferries servicing Southport-Fort Fisher, Cedar Island-Ocracoke, Swan Quarter-Ocracoke and the Ocracoke Express passenger ferry. Under the budget measure, tolls will also be charged for riders on the remaining four vehicle ferry routes — Currituck-Knotts Island, Bayview-Aurora, Hatteras-Ocracoke and Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach.
Among the most vocal critics of the tolling measure is District 1 State Senator Bobby Hanig, who has asserted, among other things, that supporters of the plan are “are just throwing numbers out there and putting them against the wall.”
Last month, the Ocracoke Access Alliance encouraged individuals to contact state legislators and ask them to delay the implementation of the new ferry tolls for a year—from January 2027 until January 2028. The Alliance stated that the new tolling system is “just not possible to implement by January of 2027.” Coastal officials voice concern, anger about… – Outer Banks Voice
The NCDOT Ferry Division has scheduled five public listening sessions in communities close to the ferries where the new tolling requirement will be imposed. “During the listening sessions, people can learn more and let division staff know their thoughts and concerns about the tolling requirement,” the announcement said. One session will be held on Hatteras on Sept. 8 and another on Ocracoke on Sept. 9.
Here is the full list of the dates and locations of those meetings, which will run from 6-8 p.m.
Sept. 1 – Beaufort County Community College, 5337 U.S. 264 East, Washington
Sept. 2 – Pamlico Community College – Delamar Center, 5049 N.C. 306 South, Grantsboro
Sept. 3 – Knotts Island Elementary School, 413 Woodleigh Road, Knotts Island
Sept. 8 – Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum, 59200 Museum Drive, Hatteras
Sept. 9 – Ocracoke School, 120 Schoolhouse Road, Ocracoke
The announcement about the listening sessions also laid out what the Ferry Service called an “aggressive” timeline.
The proposed tolling plan will be presented to the N.C. Board of Transportation on Oct. 8, with approval of the policy and rate structure slated for on Nov. 5. The state legislature has also required that NCDOT report to state legislators on the new tolling system by Dec. 1 – one month before new toll implementation.
Comments
Dom Bostich
Let’s call them “public meetings” and stop with the “listening sessions” Orwellian-speak. In many cases, outcomes are pre-determined and the “listeners” have their beaks arrogantly pointed at down their iPhones.
Carlin would have no shortage of materials in skewering the language gymnastics of 2026: food insecurity, unhoused, listening tours, reaching out, active shooter, shelter-in-place, etc.
Has anyone ever noticed the dichotomy of our society? As courtesy, grace, simple humanity, civility and empathy demonstrably wither away, the language used by those in power bends over backwards to sound more human and gentle.
Carry on!
WindyBill
Important to Show UP Sep. 3, 8 & 9! It is grossly unfair that residents of Knotts Island and Okracoke Island should have to pay a toll to come from or go to their homes.
Geoff
It’s grossly unfair for the rest of the state to provide free ferry rides. It’s obviously not working, the ferries are falling apart. ‘Other people’s money’ has run dry.
profbraddock
As someone who is not a permanent resident, I have no problem with paying a toll. What does not make sense is to charge a permanent resident, including a permanent resident of Ocracoke, $150 per year. In addition, would every commercial vehicle be charged per trip? If so, this means most goods and services on Ocracoke would cost considerably more.
Larry Racey
I am a local news reporter, but this comment is as a citizen of NC. Since this involved legislation by the NC Gen. Assembly, it’s more than a local issue. I have learned from several sources that it was established years ago, that NC 12 would be maintained as the main route of travel on the coast. While it’s a local lifeline, it is also used by people from all over the US and probably
Canada and the world. The route from the northern to Ocracoke puts you ahead or behind an assortment of license plates. While there are local cars on the ferries, there are a lot of out of state people who like me enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of the OBX. I don’t visit as much as I would like, but as a NC tax payer, I have never objected to money spent on NC 12, which includes the ferry system. Unless you have a boat, ferries and your car are the only way to get to Ocracoke. I feel the residents of Ocracoke should ride either free or for a minimal fee. Service vehicles also need as much consideration as locals, since it’s their chief source of food and supplies. I hope as this is considered by state officials, they will realize that visitors spend a lot of money on OBX and shouldn’t be overcharged, but many are used to tolls where the come from and one the way. I don’t feel a reasonable fee for non residents to use the ferry would be objectionable to tourists, including myself. Maybe the legislature or NCDOT should measure the distance between Hatteras and Ocracoke and Swan Quarter and Ocracoke and compare the cost of building a highway or bridge to running ferries. I’m not suggesting a bridge, but a comparison of costs. As a North Carolina tax payer, I feel the OBX needs its fair share of consideration compared to the tax dollars it generates. Without a way for the tourists to get there, there would be no business and I don’t think just fishing anymore would support the residents and there wouldn’t be many alternatives of making a living.
Waste of Time
These Public Meetings are bogus! Nothing but a formality. Speak your mind, but the Ferry System/State DOT, will do whatever they want. The decision has already been made.. You’re just being given a chance to speak, so that they can say you had input.
They should have put tolls on the Ferries years ago. And the residents of Ocracoke should not have to pay a damn dime!
Charles
The one thing I have not seen thus far is the cost of the ferry. I think most agree that residents of Ocracoke should be free and even a $150 annual pass is an insult.
But the cost of that ferry to others will also matter greatly to them. Let’s say they make it $20 per vehicle one way. (an amount that is a current possibility). You now have to plan on a $40 round trip into your budget. If I drive up to the Hatteras dock and see 8 lanes of backup that will no doubt be a several hour wait, AND have to pay $40, I will pass, as will others.
That will also effect the Ocracoke business owners with less people coming on. So many factors, plus the implementation of the tolling system in 4 months ? Dont see it happening.
Tom is da Bomb
All of you, “Ocracoke residents shouldn’t have to pay a dime” people… What about the ferries to Cedar Island and Swan Quarter? They’ve paid to take those ferries for a long time, why should Hatteras remain free forever?
Clint Midkiff
Ocracoke residents pay motor fuel taxes, DMV license fees, highway use taxes on title transfers, and general sales taxes!
If you toll the ferries, all state roads can be tolled. Stop this action!