The V.I. Public Services Commission declined to extend the 66-cent emergency fuel surcharge on passenger ferry service between St. Thomas and St. John at its October 13 meeting.
The surcharge was approved for 90 days in June and extended for 30 more days in September. Ferry operators asked for another month to compile fuel, fuel-consumption and ridership records through September, but commissioners declined to continue the charge without the requested supporting information.
The commission did not adopt a permanent fare schedule at Tuesday's meeting. Operators may return with another surcharge request, so the decision ends this extension rather than permanently barring a future fuel charge.
Commissioners also questioned whether the temporary surcharge should apply to luggage. No luggage amendment was adopted before the extension was declined. Riders should confirm the operators' posted fare at purchase because the broader rate case remains open.
The PSC should publish the effective end date, a plain-language fare table and the evidence required for any future surcharge request before the next hearing.
Source published October 14, 2026; publication time not displayed. Read the original reporting or release for the complete record.
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