Photo: C. Leinbach/Ocracoke ObserverFrom our news servicesMANNS HARBOR – The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Ferry Division plans to host public listening sessions in September as the division works toward compliance with a new tolling mandate in the state’s 2026 budget law. The budget, which was passed by the General Assembly in July, requires the Ferry Division to begin tolling all untolled routes by Jan. 1, 2027. “We are committed to transparency and will communicate regularly, especially with affected communities, as the implementation plan is developed,” said Ferry Division Director Jed Dixon. The Ferry Division has scheduled five public listening sessions in communities close to the ferries where the new tolling requirement will be imposed. Starting Jan. 1, the Ferry Division will be required to charge tolls for riders on the remaining four vehicle ferry routes — Currituck-Knotts Island, Bayview-Aurora, Hatteras-Ocracoke and Cherry Branch-Minnesott Beach.