I suppose that I get defensive when people criticize Coastal because living for so many years up here without road or ferry service was a hardship and now life seems so much easier because I can simply go out on the dock and hop on like taking a bus to town.
Its really changed the way people on the North part of the island live. Its value to us is astronomical.
The Island Ferry had some friends and there are some hard feelings but I'm sure Island Ferry isn't coming back and Coastal is extremely better run.
Clean, well maintained boats and regular on time schedules are in my opinion Night and Day differences from The old Island Ferry...
and still cheap compared to the alternatives.
Having to buy a boat, pay for its mooring, maintain its engine and keep it in fuel in order to commute to work or just go to the grocery store is huge. After 15 years of that you'll have a greater respect.