§5101-A. Allowance of cross-subsidization; legislative intent
1.
Legislative intent.
The Legislature finds that the provision of affordable year-round passenger, freight and vehicle transportation to the islands served by the Casco Bay Island Transit District is critical to the continued existence of these island communities. It is the intent of the Legislature that the regulation of rates for the district allow for reasonable cross-subsidization of rates in order to preserve the affordability of passenger, freight and vehicle transportation for the year-round residents of the affected islands, the financial viability of the district and the viability of the island communities served by the district.
[PL 1991, c. 774, §2 (NEW).]
2.
Cross-subsidization.
In making decisions that require an evaluation of the rates charged by the Casco Bay Island Transit District, the commission shall allow reasonable cross-subsidization of rates in order to preserve the affordability of passenger and freight services for the year-round residents of the affected islands, the financial viability of the district and the viability of the island communities served by the district. In allowing such cross-subsidization, the commission shall attempt to minimize the potential need for governmental operating subsidies for the operations maintained by the district.
[PL 1991, c. 774, §2 (NEW).]
3.
Competing scheduled service.
The commission may not grant an application for a certificate of public convenience and necessity in which the applicant seeks to offer a scheduled passenger, freight or vehicle transportation service currently offered by the Casco Bay Island Transit District if the principal difference in service proposed by the applicant is a proposed or potential reduced rate for that service, unless the applicant proves that the granting of that certificate will not have a significant adverse affect on the revenues of the district. This subsection does not apply to tour or charter service applications.
[PL 1991, c. 774, §2 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 1991, c. 774, §2 (NEW).