New pricing policy for Albury's ferry

[patw]

Starting Dec. 13. people may have noticed a change in the prices for the ferry. My husband and I just got back to Guana after a 5 week trip to the states so this was a surprise to us. It is now $20.00 per person round trip. The Capt. will give you a coupon and you can take it to the ferry office in MH (its next to the Hopetown/MOW ferry docks) and they will give you $4.00 back. The owners say that this is to help the Capt. and crew from having so much money on the ferry. Don't know how they figure that, sounds like they will have more money not less but its the new policy.

[Charlotte Couple]

I guess people tend to have 20's with them when they first arrive, so the ferry operators won't have to make change as often.

[patw]

That's true but it is still a pain in the butt and an extra expense to get a taxi to the office to get your $4.00 back especially if you have a tight schedule and are a tourist heading to the airport. The ferry office did say that you can collect 4 coupons and turn in 4 for a one way trip. The Commissioner was here on Guana yesterday, a meeting was called to discuss the change with the locals who are not too happy with the new rule, and mentioned something about turning your coupons in to your taxi driver towards your taxi fare. If that is true, then that would be a good idea. But he didn't seem sure if this was a fact and was going to check with the ferry office. If I hear anything, I'll post the information.

[Charlotte Couple]

I like the taxi idea

[PattyB]

If I understand this correctly, it sounds like real boneheaded idea! Are you saying that you have to go to the Hopetown ferry dock to get your change? I'm sure the taxi drivers are jumping for joy at the thought being unpaid employees of Albury's Ferry by having their fare paid with ferry vouchers that they have to turn in to the ferry office!

What is the one way fare?

[SamFamAustin]

Boneheaded sounds about right, PattyB.

[Abacoparrott]

too customer-oriented to me. It almost looks like one of those decisions that a company would make when they have a monopoly.......might have to move this thread to "the rant"......ken

[bellavista]

Also started a discount coupon card. 100 bucks and you get 10 one way rides, eg, 10 bucks one way rather than 20 or 20 less 4 .
coupon good for only one person's use. if you go a lot it is way to go.
supposedly has no expiration date.

[patw]

Yes, you have to go to the office for the return of your $4.00. I quoted the round trip price wrong, it is $20.00 ONE WAY. It costs Sidney and I $40.00 for two one way's when we came home on Wednesday.

If I understand this correctly, it sounds like real boneheaded idea! Are you saying that you have to go to the Hopetown ferry dock to get your change? I'm sure the taxi drivers are jumping for joy at the thought being unpaid employees of Albury's Ferry by having their fare paid with ferry vouchers that they have to turn in to the ferry office!

What is the one way fare?

[BahamaAngie]

Okay, I am confused. How much is a roundtrip from MH to Guana? I thought we paid about $22 pp rt in March. Is that correct? We had stayed in TC and took a shuttle from TC hotel to MH and than a water taxi. Is there a difference? or is it called a ferry? Senior moments are occurring.

[South Pause]

It is now $20.00 per person, one way,from MH to guana.

Great way for the ferry to increase their rates but say they aren't!
there will be many people who don't have the time or don't see the justification in paying for a taxi to get $4.00. Great scam if you ask me.

And the part about not wanting additional cash on the ferry? They will have the additional cash and we will have paper vouchers. :confused:

I think this is even more of a justification to rent a boat as soon as you arrive in MH!

[HALF-A-HAMIAN]

There are a couple of vicious threads on the Abacouncensored board. They are not very popular right now, and folks are begging for an alternative to the monopoly!

[SamFamAustin]

Yeah I got the feeling that the subject was heating up, so I won't contribute to the mayhem. I won't defend the operator, either, although it can be pointed out that with the higher costs of insurance and fuel, one would doubt that the fees would go down ... plus many ferry companies are reporting slower growth or no growth, so they can't make up for rising overhead with extra volume. Perhaps I am the one being "boneheaded" here, though ...:eek:
Sammie

[PattyB]

Okay -- I admit to being a totally confused bonehead.

Is the fare $20, or $16? What is the deal with getting $4 by going to the ferry office? Is it required to pay $20 on the ferry, and then you are given some sort of vouchure that can be redemed for $4 by going to the ferry office? Can't you just give them $16 on the ferry?

Oh boy, my head hurts with trying to figure this thing out!

[Abacoparrott]

There are a couple of vicious threads on the Abacouncensored board. They are not very popular right now, and folks are begging for an alternative to the monopoly!

the other board........didn't see any posts regarding the ferry increase. Has it been moderated? And the question that PattyB asked is a good one......is the one-way ferry to Guana 20.00 or, after the 4.00 "rebate" is it 16.00? I get easily confused.......too much red wine....Ken

[Abacoparrott]

Has the ferry service increased on the Hopetown and MOW routes as well or is this increase just for Guana? Might be a great time for 'ol Ossie to get involved with his smaller, more fuel efficient Prozac.......Ken

[South Pause]

From what I understand from Pat's post, you give $20.00 per person on the ferry, (for one way) and are given a paper voucher worth $4.00, which you have to take to the HT ferry dock in MH, to redeem for $4.00 cash. So, if you do this, the trip is $16.00 each. My point was that many folks are not going to take the time and effort to do this, so the ferry, in effect, is raising their rates without having to say they are!

[patw]

"My point was that many folks are not going to take the time and effort to do this, so the ferry, in effect, is raising their rates without having to say they are![/quote]"

That's it!! How many tourists will pay the extra money for a taxi ride to stand in line at the ferry office, remember there will be people coming from Hopetown and MOW, to get their $4.00 back?
To Parrot, yes this charge is for everyone, Hopetown, MOW and Guana Cay.
There is a sign on the ferry explaining the new policy but when we were on there the other day, the sign was behind the trash can. We heard from several tourists that the policy was not explained and they had no idea what the coupon was for until a local explained it to them.

[mlmp]

I was told by someone that you can't even give them the correct change but have to give them the $20. Is this correct? Then go and stand in line to get your refund....amazing logic or lack thereof.

[patw]

That's correct.


I was told by someone that you can't even give them the correct change but have to give them the $20. Is this correct? Then go and stand in line to get your refund....amazing logic or lack thereof.

[BahamaAngie]

My husband and I are now reading these postings. I am trying to clarify. When we used the ferry from Curly......we paid about $22 pp rt, has it jumped jumped up to $40 pp rt? IF so, that is a large increase. Please advise. Thanks. We are due to be there in about 19 days and wanted to go over pricing.

Thanks in advance!!!!

[patw]

Angie, I will ask around for the round trip price, we only came over one way and it was $20.00 per person.

My husband and I are now reading these postings. I am trying to clarify. When we used the ferry from Curly......we paid about $22 pp rt, has it jumped jumped up to $40 pp rt? IF so, that is a large increase. Please advise. Thanks. We are due to be there in about 19 days and wanted to go over pricing.

Thanks in advance!!!!

[SusieAndAl]

Hmmm. Wonder how long it will take for some enterprising young man to offer $2-$3 per coupon to the tourists then bike over to the office at the end of the day for the $4 rebate -- arbitrage in its finest and purest form! Once he's successful, the word will spread and the docks will be jammed with entrepreneurs -- free market rules and techniques will be the order of the day!

This would be a very fine thing:

1) All tourists would immediately realize that they are truly being ripped off, but will see that the capitalistic system is alive and well here, and benevolent trickle down economic policies really do work.

2) Naturally, robust debates about who can operate the scheme will ensue, resulting in a democratic process advancing societal aims that will be witnessed in public -- immediate and true transparency will rule.

3) The new ferry owner will be forced to change strategy when his initial refusal to honor the coupons will be met with classic due process that will make the Privy Council proud. We understand that his new strategy being formulated right now will be a temporary surge of some type -- details to follow.

Every local business should study and learn from such a truly strategic manner of thinking. In no time at all, all of Abaco will be known throughout the world as THE place to pay exorbitant fees and charges for each and every transaction, service and product. This will have the extraordinarily positive impact of attracting only those people with the wisdom and wealth to appreciate gated communities; all others can simply go somewhere else.

So let's all stop this short term tactical non-thinking and focus on a strategic vision of a better Abaco for the deserving few!

[patw]

$20.00 per person one way
$25.00 per person round trip

My husband and I are now reading these postings. I am trying to clarify. When we used the ferry from Curly......we paid about $22 pp rt, has it jumped jumped up to $40 pp rt? IF so, that is a large increase. Please advise. Thanks. We are due to be there in about 19 days and wanted to go over pricing.

Thanks in advance!!!!

[BahamaAngie]

Thanks! Appreciate it! Hopefully will see you soon and we can have a chat under the fig tree and maybe a drink too!

[Abacoparrott]

What is the price of a one-way MH to Hopetown? And.......do you still give 'em a 20 and get a voucher? If so, how much is the voucher for, on this route? Ken

[patw]

Yes, same price! $20.00 and you get a voucher. MH to MOW, $20.00 and you get a voucher.


What is the price of a one-way MH to Hopetown? And.......do you still give 'em a 20 and get a voucher? If so, how much is the voucher for, on this route? Ken

[Abacoparrott]

I'll bet that really chaps the Hopetown folks........it's a much longer trip to Guana for the same price?

[Kalik]

I plan on saving my vouchers (4) and using them get a free one way trip when needed. You turn them in on the ferry. This saves a trip to the ferry dock office. The vouchers do not expire. I know that this does not help the tourists but for locals and second home owners it is a possibility.

[PattyB]

Can I just give them a 10, a 5, and a 1 dollar bill for the one way fare of $16?

[Abacoparrott]

Let's say you only had 100's.........Dey gonna give you change in vouchers? hehhehheh.......let's look at this another way......folks are sayin' that they are offering vouchers to keep from carrying ones' ? Am I gettin' this? they are having to make change using vouchers right? Wouldn't it be MUCH easier to simply require correct change and not have to mess with vouchers or change at all?............unless of course that they are COUNTING on folks NOT redeeming their vouchers.....hmmmm Ken

[PattyB]

Demanding exact change for the fare on public transportation is not a new concept. You can't get on a bus in Broward County without feeding the meter with the exact fare. Try using the subway in NYC or DC without having the exact fare. No big deal. Just let me know what that fare is before I board the transportation!

[Patti Puzo]

So, do we get to use the round trip price if we are staying on Guana for 10 days? I guess I should ask the ferry company directly. I checked their website, but it listed old information.
Patti Puzo

[patw]

We have always been told round trip is to be used the same day. Can't answer if things have changed but I could ask around unless someone else might know the answer.

[BahamaAngie]

It seems to me if that they are making changes, than round trip should be used at any time. On buses for NY, I believe you have one year to use them. I think if you have the exact amount that should be accepted. Too much extra to think about, brain overload! I agree with suggestion that they can be donated.

[DrGecko]

1st, the $100 ticket is a great deal for those who use the ferry frequently; they have 10 punch-outs on them and for a one way ticket you are 'punched' once; for a round trip you get 'punched' twice. Do the math! AND, they do not have an expiration date.

Next, let's look at the vouchers. A one time or seldom visitor comes over on a Sunday and leaves the next Sunday; they pay $20 dollars each trip and have two vouchers each worth a totsl per person of$8.00. Let's say these people do not want to or do not have the time to go to the ferry terminal to collect their money - Why couldn't they be donated to an orgaanization such as Every Child Counts or the Wild Horses of Abaco or what ever. This would mean these groups would have to setup some sort of collection place and get the word out.

Just a thought. I would be more then happy to encourage my guest to do so and I am pretty sure most other rental owners would do the same.


Patti - the answer to using the round trip at the end of your stay will be NO, it has to be used the same day.
Ken - that's where the donation comes in.
Kalik - when we were going back to Guana from Marsh Harbour the captain said he would accept vouchers but when we were leaving at the end of our stay the captain told a family he did not take them and they had to go to the ferry office. You figure it out - I couldn't.
Jim

[Abacoparrott]

The ferry company won't give you change for a 20.00 unless it's a voucher (not real money) AND won't accept correct change (unfathomable)....very simply put...."I think it smells". The only easy way to keep from getting screwed is to WALK to the main office and get your bloody money which is owed to you anyway......or.....buy the 100.00 card. If everyone buys the 100.00 card and not the 16/20 dollar fare, how long before they put a time restriction on the card? or raise the price on the 100 card? I, personally, won't need to use the ferry since I'm bringing my boat down this summer but I will be watching this "ferry thang" with great interest......Am I the only one who thinks it's a little funny that the ferry captain can take your money but not give any back? Or has noticed the fact that he still has to keep vouchers on board and make change with them? I just wish the ferry owner would fess up to what he is really doing.....Ken

[Patti Puzo]

Thanks Jim.... tell Kathy hello for me.
Thanks Ken... It is kind of a mess....
But I guess in the long run, it still beats a ride down 4 lanes of traffic on I-25 to or from Denver! (I won't EVEN get into the weather thang).
Just plop my biscuits down in the sand with a cold one and I will be a happy girl!
Patti P.

[jersey devil]

I will bet the captain can make change when he is trying to sell you cell phones like he did on our last trip.I have not seen a business go downhill so fast in the short time since it has been sold .The ferries get dirtier and the fares get higher.Looks like the area is ripe for some competition???

[SamFamAustin]

Can somebody explain what happened to the new ferry system and why? Some of us short-timers are real confused here. New owners?
Sammie

[Abacoparrott]

I'll give this a shot......perhaps some other folks will chime in with their facts and figures. First of all, I have been visiting Abaco since 1995, bought property there and then sold it, etc.....At times I have visited as much as 4 times per year but it's been 2 yrs since I've been down there due to a boat restoration project that I have been involved in ......From '95 to 2005 the ferry system was owned by the Albury family on Man o War Cay. It was a SUPER ferry service as far as I am concerned. ALWAYS on time, clean, ferry Captain's called ahead on VHF so you would have a ride at your destination AND the captains' made change for your $20 bill. As of about 2 yrs ago the ferry company was sold to a new owner. Rates almost immediately went up. As of 2 1/2 yrs ago ROUNDTRIP fare to Guana was 12.00.....I believe one-way was 8.00. Anyway, rates have gone up a couple of times since then and now rest at 25.00 roundtrip and 16.00 one-way then..........comes the "voucher thang". After reading what Jersey Devil posted above it looks like folks are getting less for more money. So, I hoped I've helped you with a "little background" as I see it.

Can't wait to get down there this summer with my boat. I miss Abaco.

As for the "competition" suggestion.......don't hold your breath. The Bahamian business model is not like ours in the states with maybe the exception of Nippers (gotta LOVE that Johnny). There are some type of constraints that would make starting a competitive route very difficult. I think Ossie (boat name Prozac) wanted to do this once but was "discouraged". He now runs charters out of TC......great guy too. If you would like more examples of this please PM me at your convenience.

Ken

[BahamaAngie]

I second that Ozzie is a great guy! I also feel very safe on his boat when we go. He is a very competent captain. We went on an island hopping with him and he made it extremely enjoyable!

[PELLUCID]

If you arrive from the airport at the ferry dock with time to spare, you can go to the office and purchase one-way tickets for $16 each.

Last time I took the ferry to MOW, I had one voucher and I needed two one-way tickets. I went into the office, told the cashier what I needed, handed her $30 and the voucher, and said "I believe you owe me $2."

She said "No, we can't do that. You have to buy the tickets, then I will give you the money for the voucher." So I gave her $32, she gave me the tickets, I gave her the voucher, she gave me $4.

Fortunately my friend and I were able to wait until we got outside the office before we starting roaring with laughter.

[Patti Puzo]

Let me see if I can get this straight.... when we get to MHH, we should take the taxi to the ferry office by Eastern Shore, and purchase 4 one way tickets....(since we have to come back to MHH from Guana eventually). Then, after I have purchased them, just have Mark go back in and redeem the vouchers then and there? It would be kind of funny/scary to meet the people who came up with this procedure. Sounds like it needs to be recognized on the Tonight Show....

[SamFamAustin]

OK, now that I'm all educated up ... and thanks Ken & Pellucid ... how come I want to find some old Three Stooges re-runs and open a can of beer? /Sammie

[SusieAndAl]

LOL! Hey Sam and Patti, this is par for the course down here!

We now live here most of the year and it's amazing what you learn as a resident as opposed to being on holiday.

For example, BEC just announced a new policy for electric bill security deposits for renters. The deposit will be twice the highest monthly bill of the previous tenant! And no, you get no interest on your deposit.

Oh, if you want electricity and are building a home where there is no pole, you have to buy every one required to reach your property. But if someone else then builds a home and the line is passing their property, they don't have to pay and you don't get any compensation!

As another example, after years of asking, BTC finally pulled cable into our neighborhood, but refused to make the final connections because it wouldn't be cost effective. We had to dig the trenches and lay the cables from the main junction box ourselves to our homes!

The list grows by the day, but in the end it's oh so worth it. You just gotta go with the flow and take it slow!

[Abacoparrott]

the last 3 or 4 posts......I was afraid that I was seeing this in a different light than everyone else so thanks........in my mind's eye I can still see Pellucid outside the ferry office choking up........Ken

[TurtleDreams]

My neighbor hasn't had service from Batelco for over a year due to damaged equipment. They won't fix it but she still gets a bill for service every month.

[SamFamAustin]

I just love that avatar picture! Down here in South TX we had a cold snap and over 30 sea turtles have been rescued yesterday and today, mainly the Green. If left in the bays they would die. It turns out it is quite a science to warm up a sea turtle, since they cannot be immersed in 75 degree F water when they are 50 degrees or that would simply kill them faster. I am very proud of our locals - and yes I asked if I could go out with them. :)

Sorry to interject an off-topic. Back to the ferries, I think we need our friend the Sheik El Dubai to show up with an abacus and go mano-y-mano on what exactly the rides cost. After being snubbed on his huge bridge scheme I'm sure he would be in rare fighting form. I would pay to watch. ;)
/Sammie

[Abacoparrott]

El Shieko.......he can add and subtract, which is very important as Pellucid so eloquently illustrated in his post above.....too bad we can't simply fly into Scotland Cay and take Ossie's charter to Guana......those folks on Scotland are looking better all the time.....Ken