#ferry rate increase

The Public Utilities Commission granted Expeditions the right to increase its passenger fares in all rate categories earlier this month. In a filed order, the Commission recognized several impacts to operations in granting Expeditions’ request for the rate increase including: the Maui wildfires, Expeditions’ losses and change in operations to Māʻalaea Harbor, a reduction in tourism, a loss of alternative forms of income, issues with the financial viability of the ferry services, and the lingering impacts of the COVID pandemic. It also noted that Expeditions has not increased its fares in over 16 years, despite dramatically increased costs of operation.