The Maine Office of the Public Advocate is calling for an investigation into Casco Bay Lines’ ticket increases, saying the ferry line has underestimated its impact on low-income residents of the islands in Casco Bay.

The office’s Friday filings to the Maine Public Utilities Commission, which oversees the fare changes, say the Casco Bay Island Transit District has not met its requirement to explore how to keep rates affordable for certain residents.

It argues the transit district erred when it relied on an in-house survey for its analysis, and that its vow to contribute to a program for low-income residents to help account for the increases is inadequate. The office is also calling for the suspension of fare increases slated for June 20.

But the ferry line insists its analysis of the impact of recent vehicle rate increases was comprehensive and is committed to maintaining affordable transport for all island residents.

The office’s request on Friday follows a series of documents and public comments filed with the commission on hikes to vehicle rates in the past year, and recent filings over a proposed increase to passenger fares slated for June. The office filed two separate documents calling for an investigation on Friday, one over the vehicle rate increases and one over the looming passenger rate increases.

Last year, the district’s board of directors approved rate hikes for ferrying cars, with increases ranging from close to $100 to only about $10, depending on the day of the week and whether one has a long-term pass.

For example, general round-trip vehicle ticket prices for trips to Peaks Island on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays in the summer season increased from about $83 to $170. During the rest of the week, its $150 during the peak season. Rates for 90-day pass holders saw a more modest increase, from $36.65 on Mondays and Tuesdays during the busy season to $46, while prices are $83 on the busier weekend days.

That followed a considerable passenger fare increase in 2024 — the first in 15 years— though it lowered the cost for some long-term passes with the intent of easing impacts on island residents and workers.

The Casco Bay Island Transit District’s board of directors also approved passenger rate changes in April, which are subject to the commission’s approval. Starting in June, round-trip, peak-season adult tickets are proposed to increase from $14 to $16, while 30-day passes will rise from $48 to $51 and annual passes will go from $432 to $435.

In its requests Friday, the public advocate’s office cited the commission’s own findings that there are residents who don’t travel to the mainland enough to warrant buying long-term passes.

The Maine Public Utilities Commission may formally investigate a rate increase if more than 50 “ratepayers” request it. During a public comment period in the body’s review of the vehicle changes, more than 50 did just that.

But in December, the commission declined the request, instead giving the transit district a May 15 deadline to “collect information on certain year-round residents who may be experiencing financial hardship due to the rate changes.”

The transit district filed a 24-page document two weeks ago. It says its analysis shows the rate increases would burden somewhere between eight and 18 island residents. The survey it conducted had garnered 38 responses, but only 24 of them indicated they were year-round residents who infrequently transported their vehicle off Peaks Island, according to the filing.

The transit district said it would contribute $4,000 annually to a program for low-income residents, which it says would cover roughly 10 full-price annual passenger passes or a greater number of reduced-rate passes for seniors and disabled residents. It also argues that prior to 2024, it had not made significant changes to its rate structures in over 15 years.

But a group of more than 50 ratepayers responded by filing a petition, arguing that the financial impact would be burdensome for many more residents than that and calling for the commission to reject the rate increases.

The office’s requests on Friday emphasized that the reason why the commission has oversight over the rate changes is for the “purpose of protecting affordability for year-round island residents.”

The office argues that “the in-house survey is not a reliable analysis” of the true number of residents significantly impacted by the fare increases. It also argues that “providing a small amount of funding to an existing low-income assistance program” is inadequate.

Ben Dinsmore, general manager of Casco Bay Lines, said in an email Saturday that the transit district has reviewed the office’s filings.

“While the District appreciates the work of the Public Advocate, the District’s vehicle rates approved by the Public Utilities Commission last December are the result of a comprehensive analysis based on public input and meet the vehicle transportation needs of all Islanders,” Dinsmore stated.

Dinsmore said the transit district “remains committed to rate design centered around affordability and access for islanders, particularly those of lower income,” who would qualify for the program that the district has pledged to contribute to.

Editor’s Note: This article was updated on May 30 to include statements from Ben Dinsmore of Casco Bay Lines.