Due to the rising price of fuel and the volatility in the fuel markets, the Cape May – Lewes Ferry (CMLF) will be implementing a fuel surcharge on all vehicle fares effective June 1, 2018. The surcharge, which is $1.00 per vehicle trip from June 1-June 30, 2018, is designed to pass along a portion of the increased cost of fuel to the customer. There is no separate surcharge for passengers.
“Fuel prices have increased significantly for the Cape May – Lewes Ferry this year, said Heath Gehrke, Director of Ferry Operations. The surcharge is tied directly to the price of fuel and the Ferry will continue to absorb the majority of the increase in fuel costs, thus sharing only a small portion of these increased costs with our customers.” Gehrke added that the cross-bay ferry service will honor reservations already made, surcharge free.
The fuel surcharge is determined on a month-to-month basis. The price of vessel fuel is reviewed on the 15th of each month to determine if the fuel surcharge will be implemented for the following calendar month. When the price of fuel exceeds the pre-established benchmark, the Cape May – Lewes Ferry will determine whether to assess the fuel surcharge at the first of the following month.
“The fuel surcharge will not become a permanent part of fares, but will turn on and off as the price we pay for fuel increases and decreases,” Gehrke added. “If the price of fuel drops to previous levels, we will eliminate the fuel surcharge.”
In February 2009, the Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) Commission adopted Resolution 09-05, which authorizes Cape May – Lewes Ferry management to apply a fuel surcharge on vehicles using the ferry service. The fuel surcharge is only applied when the price the DRBA pays for marine diesel fuel rises faster than the 8-year trend. The last time the Cape May – Lewes Ferry implemented a fuel surcharge was March 2014.
Rates are subject to change at the beginning of each month, and will be assessed when the customer checks-in at the tollbooth. Customers are urged to check the Ferry’s website, www.CMLF.com, or call 800-643-3779 to get the most up-to-date information on the fuel surcharge.
Source: DRBA
Image Credits: DRBA