Hide Article Text (OCR)
Letters To The JournalCasco Bay Transportation Problams Naad CorrectingTht T s I a n d Citizens’ Association of Peaks Island has recently received a negative decision from the Maine Public Utilities Commission relative to providing supplemental ferry service in Casco Bay.The Island Citizens’ Association has attempted to rectify transportation problems such as overcrowded boats, poor scheduling, excessive rates and lack of radar.Our sincere attempt te provide a needed service in the bay area was met with enthusiasm by many island people who sacrificed their time by attending hearings and appealing to the Public Utilities Commission which currently regulates the monopoly of Casco Bay Lines.Current law in Maine forbids anyone from taking “compensation” for transporting freight or passengers between Portland and the populated islands without authorization from the Public Utilities Commission. Compensation is defined very loosely and does not only mean profit but any return for services. The penalty for violating this law is a fine and or jail. This law applies only to Casco Bay and not to the rest of the coast of Maine.Many days of public hearings have been held during the current year relative toproviding a supplemental ferry service in Casco Bay and for granting rate increases to Casco Bay Lines. In October of 1973, the Island Citizens’ Association petitioned the Public Utilities Commission to operate between Peaks Island and Portland. Lengthy hearings were held and a decision was not granted until September. 1974. Prior to the PUC’s decision to refuse theIsland Citizens’ Association's request in September. 1974, Casco Bay Lines applied for and received permission for an interim passenger rate increase of 17 per cent. The PUC denied the Association’s request on two grounds: (1) The Association'soperation would adversely af- I feet Casco Bay Lines’ revenues. I (2) There was insufficient I evidence on record of the I Association’s Financial position. IOn the first point, the PUC I accepted Casco Bay Lines’ I figures verbatim and un- I critically although they were |highly questionable. It was I based on pre-rate hike figures. I On the second point, the I Association feels the grounds I were less legitimate. The I Association’s Treasurer. I Michael Day, testified for three I hours and presented a complete I financial picture. but the I -Commission's tape recorder I malfunctioned and the I testimony was lost from the I record. When the malfunction I was discovered, the I Association's counsel, attorney I (Howard Reben. attempted to ro- I examine Mr. Day’s testimony I for the record. The request was I denied by the PUC. IChairman Bradford’s! dissenting opinion, however, I was heartening. The Com I mission recognizes tran I spoliation problems exist hui Iapparently only the Chairman I is willing to seek remedies. The I Chairman states ‘the normal I considerations justifying cur- I tailment of competition are not I. compellingly present in this I case.” He realizes that the I types of problems that exist I currently “are the types of Iproblems most susceptible to I remedying through competition I and least susceptible to ef- I fective regulation.” ITlie recent PUC hearings I have not solved the real tran- I sportation problems in Casco I Bay; (1) More rate hikes are I anticipated in December: (2), I Safety problems still exist on I the boats and (3) Service has I not been improved. Eventually I these conditions will have to bV I improved. IVery truly yours. | ISLAND CITIZENS | ASSOCIATION IGregory Scandlen IPresident I
Newspaper Details
Biddeford Saco Journal
Biddeford, Maine, US
Tue, Oct 08, 1974
Page 4
Full Page
Clipped by
Judith R.
USA 10 May 2018
Other Publications Near Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford Saco Journal
Biddeford Journal Tribune Sunday
Biddeford Journal Tribune Weekend
Biddeford Journal
Biddeford Journal Tribune
