Catalina
Express to Cut Fuel Surcharge as of January 1, 2002
SAN PEDRO, Calif.--Catalina Express announced today that it would cut
fuel surcharges for passengers traveling
between Catalina Island beginning January 1, 2002.
The current fuel surcharge of $1.00 each way will be totally eliminated
on trips between Long Beach and San Pedro and lowered to $.50 each way or $1.00
round trip on the longer crossing between Catalina and Dana Point in south
Orange County. The difference is
due to the fact that fuel prices at the only fuel dock in Dana Point remain 25
to 30 cents per gallon higher than Los Angeles/Long Beach prices. Currently, the round trip adult fare
from Long Beach or San Pedro to Avalon, including fuel charge is $42.00 while
the round trip fare from Dana Point is $44.50. As of January 1st, the San Pedro/Long Beach fares will drop
to $40.00 while the Dana Point fares will be lowered to $43.50.
“Although the California Public Utilities Commission has recently
extended the authorization to collect surcharges until October 2002,”
says Greg Bombard, President, “we have decided to lower the surcharge at
this time with fuel costs dropping to early 1999 price levels.”
In November of 1999, fuel costs doubled over the previous year. Six months later, the California Public
Utilities Commission (PUC) authorized freight carriers, motor coaches, trucks
and passenger ferries to implement a fuel surcharge of up to 15% of their gross
rates to offset the increased cost of fuel. At that time, Catalina Express elected to implement a 5.5%
surcharge.
The California PUC also authorizes Catalina Express to impose the
surcharge in the future, if necessary.
Catalina Express provides the fastest and most comfortable scheduled
boat service to Catalina on a year-round basis. It operates a fleet of eight fleet of fast and modern
vessels, including one 56-passenger boat, five boats carrying 150 passengers, a
triple-decked Cat Express catamaran with a 360-passenger capacity and two
high-speed catamarans -- the 300-passenger Starship Express and the
381-passenger Jet Cat Express, which was introduced into service
in May of this year.
Wayne G. Griffin, ACE
President and CEO
Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau
P.O. Box 217, Avalon, CA 90704
310-510-1520 for visitor information
FAX 310-510-7606