The City of Mackinac Island is doubling down on its fight over ferry service rates, backing Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel’s call for renewed negotiations with Hoffmann Marine.
In a statement released this week, The City said it is open to working toward a resolution but warned that the current situation remains deeply concerning: all ferry service to the Island is now controlled by a single company under the Hoffmann Family of Companies.
City leaders argue that this consolidation has created a monopoly over the Island’s only practical transportation link, giving Hoffmann Marine unchecked control over pricing and access. According to the release, the company has refused to recognize The City’s long-standing authority, granted by the Michigan Legislature in 1899, to ensure ferry rates remain “fair and reasonable.”
Officials say the impact is already being felt. Visitors are facing rising ticket prices, new booking fees, and sharply increased parking costs on the mainland. In some cases, the total cost for a family of four to visit the Island with bicycles can exceed $224, not including parking, which can run between $15 and $75 per day.
The City also raised concerns about what it calls a lack of competition. Although multiple ferry lines once operated with varying prices and services, a recent court decision noted that all major lines are now under common ownership and began raising rates in tandem in 2024.
“This is not a functioning free market,” The City said, pointing to the absence of alternative operators and the inability of competitors to enter the market.
At the center of the dispute is a city ordinance requiring transparency in pricing. The rule establishes a process for reviewing ferry rates, but officials say Hoffmann Marine has refused to comply and has not provided financial disclosures needed to determine whether rates are justified.
The issue recently reached the federal courts, where the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in March that The City does have authority to regulate ferry pricing, a decision officials say reinforces their position.
Still, tensions remain high. Hoffmann Marine has threatened to cut off ferry service entirely if its demands are not met, a move City officials say would be unprecedented and harmful to residents, businesses, and visitors alike.
City leaders are now calling on state officials and the public to support efforts to preserve access and affordability.
“A city of just 585 year-round residents has been standing alone against the concentrated power of a multibillion-dollar corporation,” the statement reads. “We welcome the Attorney General, the Legislature, and the public to join The City in defending the public interest and keeping the Island accessible to all.”
