Mackinac Island Leaders Demand Answers on Rising Ferry Prices

City council steps in to question if ferry price hikes are justified as competition dwindles.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 11:03am

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The Mackinac Island City Council has intervened to halt planned price increases for ferry services to the popular tourist destination, demanding the ferry companies open their books to prove the higher fares are necessary. With a single company now controlling both ferry operators, city leaders are concerned residents and visitors are being squeezed without any real competition to keep prices in check.

Why it matters

Mackinac Island is a major tourism draw for Michigan, but the rising costs of getting there by ferry have become a point of contention. As the island's sole transportation option, the ferry companies wield significant pricing power, leading the city to question whether the increases are fair and justified.

The details

Round-trip ferry tickets have already risen from around $34 to $38, with an additional $12 charge to skip the line. City leaders are now demanding the ferry companies, which are owned by the same parent company, provide financial transparency to prove the price hikes are necessary and not simply taking advantage of their monopolistic position.

  • In 2026, the ferry companies planned additional price increases for the upcoming season.
  • The Mackinac Island City Council recently intervened and rejected the proposed price hikes.

The players

Mackinac Island City Council

The local government body that oversees the island and has stepped in to question the ferry price increases.

Shepler's Ferry

One of the two ferry services that transports visitors to Mackinac Island.

Arnold Transit

The other ferry service that, along with Shepler's, is owned by the same parent company.

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What they’re saying

“We can't just keep letting these prices go up without understanding if it's truly justified. People are already feeling the pinch of higher costs everywhere.”

— Mackinac Island City Council Member

What’s next

The Mackinac Island City Council has demanded the ferry companies open their financial records to prove the price increases are warranted. A decision on whether to approve the 2026 ferry rates is expected in the coming months.

The takeaway

As the sole transportation option to the popular tourist destination of Mackinac Island, the ferry companies have significant pricing power. The city's intervention highlights the need for transparency and accountability to ensure residents and visitors are not being unfairly gouged, especially as costs rise across the board.