Board tables 5:30 a.m. ferry run again

Steamship Authority Board · Meeting of October 20, 2026

FALMOUTH — The Steamship Authority board tabled a decision on the contested 5:30 a.m. Woods Hole-Martha's Vineyard freight run, citing a 158-signature petition from Falmouth residents and insufficient ridership data. Comptroller Mark Rosen presented a preliminary 2027 budget showing just $573,000 in projected net income and roughly $9.8 million in proposed fare increases, saying "I would not recommend a budget with a $573 bottom line." The board unanimously approved the 2027 Nantucket schedule and, 4-1 with chairman Jeffrey abstaining, a partial Martha's Vineyard schedule through May 17, but tabled the rest of the Vineyard schedule and the Section 15A report to the next meeting.

Member Robert Jones said, "I'm fully in support of the needs of the Islanders," regarding the early boat. The board also adopted new governance rules requiring Inspector General training and seven-day notice for meeting materials, both passing unanimously.

In the full story:

• Minutes, Attendance and a New Face in the Room
• Governance Committee: Training and Notice Requirements
• Capital Project Steering Committee and Port Council Reports
• The 2027 Preliminary Operating Budget and Proposed Rate Increases
• General Manager's Report and Vessel Maintenance
• Reservation System and IT Steering Committee
• Standby Travel and the Blue Line Policy
• The 2027 Operating Schedule and the 5:30 a.m. Freight Run
• Gift Cards, Public Comment and Executive Session
• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report: 2,943 words

Source: the Steamship Authority Board meeting of October 20, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.