Raleigh – Senator Bill Cook (R-District 1) filed Senate bill – SB 792, on Monday, May 19, 2014, that would remove mandatory tolls on the three N.C. Ferry routes that currently have a fee. The legislation would also prevent a fee from being added to the four routes that currently do not have a toll. Senator Norman Sanderson (R-District 2) signed onto the legislation as a co-sponsor.

“Even if all the ferry routes were tolled, the revenue would not go far in offsetting the significant cost of running and making capital improvements to the ferry system. There are several other alternatives to ferry tolling such as advertising or concession contracts that can generate much revenue,” Cook said. “I will continue to advocate for responsible alternatives to ferry tolling on behalf of the constituents in Senate district 1.”

The bill passed first reading in the Senate on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, and was referred to the Senate Transportation Committee for debate.Both legislators filed similar legislation during the 2013 Legislative Session.

“Ferry tolls are the same as tolls on bridges. If you are going to toll ferries, you should toll bridges and we are not tolling them so why toll ferries?” Cook said.

During the 2013 Legislative Session there were four bills filed, three of which opposed tolls on the ferry routes. Senate District 1 covers five of the seven ferry routes in North Carolina.