Ocracoke Express carries 16,594 passengers in 2021 season

Published 6:37 pm Wednesday, September 15, 2021

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OCRACOKE – More than 16,500 people got out of their cars and onto the Ocracoke Express passenger ferry this summer, and surveys revealed that the third season of passenger ferry service was a popular one.

The season, which began June 21 and ended on Labor Day, saw a total of 16,594 people use the passenger ferry service, which allowed riders to skip the vehicle ferry waits and cruise directly between Hatteras and Ocracoke Village. A total of 1,020 passengers brought their bicycles along for the ride. This season, the Ocracoke Express served an average of 213 passengers a day, more than double the 97 per day of 2020.

Passenger surveys taken over the 2021 season showed the service as a popular option, with 94% of respondents rating it as either “Excellent” or “Good.” Among the comments received, one passenger said “It’s a lovely ride, it’s easy to manage, the people are all super friendly and it could not be more convenient. It makes the whole day more enjoyable!”