Dear Source,
I was filled with great excitement and optimism when I began reading your article about the possible return of Boston Harbor Cruises. After their overwhelming trial runs and their overwhelming reception in April, the VI Port Authority should do everything possible to ensure the company's return in the fall.
Residents of both islands were able to travel between our two districts comfortably and without having to pay exorbitant airfares. The three airline companies currently providing service, quickly reduced their fares while the Boston ferry was here. That should be a strong enough indication to VI Port Authority about what is needed in the way of reasonable priced and improved inter island transportation.
As the company has stated, they are not looking for assistance from the VI government, just equitable rates and charges for doing business.
If the VI Port Authority is giving any serious consideration in seeking federal funds so that they could purchase, own and operate it's own ferry service, they are going in the wrong direction. What is needed, is for a well established, proven, private sector company to fill this transportation need here in the territory.
What should not occur, is for the VI Port Authority to block this initiative with idea of doing it themselves. We have seen the local governments' impact of attempts by other private company's to improve the quality of our lives, like Beal Industries and Southern Energy, let's not strike out again.
Jared I. Falek
