FERRY SERVICE RECEIVES GOOD MARKS

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- Coupons are now available for prepurchasing rides on the Dorena-Hickman Ferry.

The Mississippi County commissioners voiced their support of the Mississippi County Port Authority Board and their operation of the ferry during Thursday's county commission meeting.

"The ferry boat is running better than I ever dreamed it would," said Jim Blumenberg, presiding commissioner.

Kenny George, chairman of port board, together with Stephen P.J. Stanionis, the ferry captain, and board member Bill Feezor, appeared before the commission to answer a question raised by a port authority board member asking whether the ferry was losing the business of large trucks due to the toll.

"I wish it was a free ferry, but that's not going to happen," said George. He explained to remain in good standing with the state, which is subsidizing the operation along with the county, the ferry operation must continue to demonstrate an effort to make a profit.

Stanionis said many cars do not completely fit in the 15-foot spaces marked on the ferry, so standard practice has been set to grant one and one-half spaces for $8, with a half-price return trip for private vehicles traveling back in the opposite direction.

Commercial vehicles will no longer be eligible for the round-trip discount. However, as many businesses who often use the ferry had approached Stanionis about setting up an open account, the board decided upon the coupons.

A coupon sheet has 10 coupons for $60. Either cash or coupons, but not a combination of the two, will be accepted on the ferry.

One coupon is required for the first one and one-half spaces, with an additional coupon needed for each additional whole or partial space.

George reported last year as "the first full year that it's run continuously," having carried around 12,000 cars across the river.

Stanionis said they have close to all 50 states represented in the logbook by passengers, as well as several dozen foreign countries. He estimated 70 percent of their business is from out of state.

Also, Stanionis said many of the Internet travel route planners were showing the ferry as being on the best route.

Stanionis predicted the ferry will be able to reduce the amount of its subsidies in about two more years.