MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. – The owners of Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry today praised the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) for its part in helping the ferry operator get a franchise to operate from the City of Mackinac Island, but expressed disappointment that the commission’s public hearings would not happen next week as planned.

The MPSC issued an order this afternoon suspending public hearings related to its investigation of the Mackinac Island ferry industry, which were scheduled for Monday and Tuesday in Northern Michigan. Shepler’s had filed a complaint with the state regulatory agency in February, after the ferry operator’s efforts to negotiate a franchise with the city failed. Four days later, the MPSC initiated an investigation. The city eventually decided on April 11 to grant Shepler’s a two-year franchise, a fact the commission cited among its reasons for suspending the hearings, as well as the investigation itself.

“Nothing is more important to us than our ability to serve Mackinac Island residents and visitors, and to the extent that the commission’s ruling today helps us do that, we are grateful,” said Chris Shepler, vice president of Shepler’s. “While we had hoped to give our loyal supporters an opportunity to have their say at the public hearings next week, our heads and hearts are first and foremost in serving our customers.

“That said, we know the key was the MPSC asserting jurisdiction over Mackinac Island ferry service – only then did the city become responsive to our concerns,” Shepler said. “We appreciate the commission’s continuing leadership in ensuring that competition thrives in the Mackinac Island ferry industry. We reserve the right to pursue the issue with the MPSC again, should that prove necessary.”