The Steamship Authority has changed its policy for the resident-only standby line in hopes of making it easier for Islanders getting to and from the Vineyard.
On Wednesday, the ferry line announced that it was changing the rules for the “blue line” standby on the Vineyard route, moving from a hard cap of 15 vehicles a day to a new rolling 12-vehicle cap.
The blue line is only in effect on reservation-only sailing days and available to preferred and excursion account holders with the Steamship Authority.
As more cars are able to board from the blue line, more cars will be able to get into the line, said Sean Driscoll, a Steamship spokesperson.
“It sounds less but it’s really more,” Mr. Driscoll said. “It could be a lot more than [ the past cap] as the day progresses.”
The Steamship implemented the change on Wednesday after the ferry line had heard Islanders’ concerns about increased traffic.
The authority did note that the blue line is not for people trying to improve their sailing time, only for Islanders without a reservation.
The blue line can be shut down at the discretion of the authority. Mr. Driscoll said that can happen if there are weather cancellations, causing subsequent ferries to fill up.
