20-year deal ends Mackinac Island ferry dispute

Published June 22, 2012 11:13am ET



MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. (AP) — A dispute over Mackinac Island ferry service is ending with a 20-year agreement.

The Detroit News reports (http://bit.ly/MbmV6i ) Northern Ferry Co. LLC and Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry will continue to offer service to the island under a franchise agreement approved this week by the Mackinac Island City Council. The agreement ensures the ferry companies get a say in rates and schedules.

Northern Ferry owns the Star Line and Arnold Transit Co. ferries. Word that an agreement was nearly done came earlier this month.

The deal followed disagreements in recent years about ferry franchises. It avoids the prospect of state Legislation about ferry service to the island located between Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas.

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Information from: The Detroit News, http://detnews.com/