Priority boarding ends, TxDOT offers refunds

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has acknowledged that, while some may have thought a system of priority ferry boarding was a good idea, most ferry riders didn't.

TxDOT announced last week that it was closing applications for priority ferry boarding passes and discontinuing the program. Applicants can get their application fees back.

Steven E. Simmons, deputy executive director for TxDOT, said in an Aug. 7 letter that 500 applications were needed for each ferry system, at Port Bolivar and Port Aransas. Only 225 applications came in at Port Bolivar and only 160 from Port Aransas, the letter said.

If it had been implemented, the program would have created special lanes for drivers who had bought the priority boarding passes. Vehicles from those lanes would have been loaded on ferries first, until the boats were half full; then, vehicles from the regular lanes would be loaded.

Prices for priority boarding passes were set at $250 fee for the first two-axle vehicle (cars, pickups, motorcycles, etc.) at each address, with additional passes at the same address going for $150 each.

For someone who works in Port Aransas but takes the ferry to work every day, 250 days a year, that would have figured out to 50 cents each direction.

Boarding passes for larger vehicles were more expensive, under the proposal. Applications had to be accompanied by a $250 fee.

Those who sent in their $250 with an application can get a refund by downloading a Texas application for payee identification number from the State Comptroller's Web site, www. window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxforms/ ap-152.pdf. The form must be filled out and returned, along with a request for a refund, to Frances Garza, public information officer, 1701 S. Padre Island Dr., Corpus Christi, TX 78469.

The letter made no estimate of how long refunds would take.