Protect Fair Access to Mackinac Island!
Support Senate Bill 308
Thank you for your interest in Mackinac Island!
The island, which is a National Historic Landmark and beloved Midwest treasure, has once again captured the title of “Best Summer Travel Destination” in the annual USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. This victory marks a four-year winning streak for our iconic island, outperforming an elite list of national vacation spots to secure the top ranking.
We are open and ready for your visit. Our small businesses, restaurants and lodging are ready to serve you during this 2026 summer season.
However, you may have heard about the ongoing debate over ferry service to Mackinac Island.
Ferry service is fully open for the 2026 season, but negotiations are ongoing regarding what ferry service will look like next year and beyond. While we fully expect an agreement to be found, it is important that visitors and year-round residents are protected and have fair access to Mackinac Island.
As an island, fair and affordable ferry service is an absolute must.
In recent years, all public ferry companies have been bought by a single company, creating a monopolistic system in which a single firm sets all fees that you pay to get to the island.
When monopoly status exists, state law empowers the City of Mackinac Island to approve or oppose the fee schedule for ferry passenger tickets, cargo fees and parking costs. The City did not approve rates set by the ferry company and that situation has resulted in litigation in federal court.
That is why the Fair Access to Mackinac Island coalition, a group of businesses and community leaders, is supporting the City in its litigation efforts.
Our local leaders are fighting for affordability and accessibility, the most pressing issues facing Michigan families who visit the island each year.
If prices increase at an alarming or unethical rate, Michigan’s crown jewel and one of Michigan’s most prestigious state parks will undoubtedly suffer.
Although we are optimistic a compromise will be found for next year and beyond, the coalition also supports Senate Bill 308.
When passed into law, SB 308 will fully clarify the powers of the City of Mackinac Island to ensure that affordability, transparency, and local control are a priority in this debate between the monopolistic ferry system owned by an out-of-state company and the families of Michigan.
We aren’t trying to set rates but fully support of the City exercising its authority to review prices under the monopolistic system. Businesses are entitled to a fair profit but should not use monopoly status to raise prices without first following the rules of their franchise agreement with the City of Mackinac Island.
The firm that purchased the ferry services, creating the monopoly, knew what it was buying when it took control of all ferry services, including the franchise agreements that empower the City to protect travelers and year-round residents in a monopoly situation like this.
SB 308 will help ensure that fair and affordable access is the rule under this period of monopolistic service.
This situation exposes the coalition’s biggest fears about what monopoly power could do to the economy of Mackinac Island.
For a single entity to control all ferry access to the island and then ignore the rules while raising costs on Mackinac Island access is a major concern to all of us – and to our customers as well.
Once on the island, travelers and residents can choose what to spend money on and where to spend it. Competition sets the prices on the island, but there is no competition when it comes to taking a ferry to the island.
The Fair Access to Mackinac Island coalition strongly supports the legislature acting now on SB 308 to clarify the authority of the City to protect consumers in this monopoly situation, a power we believe already exists but is being ignored.
Thank you for your visit to Mackinac Island! We look forward to seeing you soon.