Maritime transport fares for Sicily’s regional sea routes have stayed flat, according to the regional infrastructure minister, Alessandro Aricò, who said the government will not raise passenger costs.
Official data shows no price rise
The transport department’s figures compare September 2022 with the same month in 2026 and confirm that ticket prices for regional ferries have not changed at all.
The report notes that the cost per ticket has remained exactly the same, despite broader economic pressures. Commuters have therefore not seen any increase on their regular journeys.
During the same period diesel prices rose sharply, climbing 21.6 % from €1.8078 to €2.198 per litre, a shift linked to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Cumulative inflation over those four years has hovered between 10 % and 11 %. This rise affected operating costs for many operators.
State‑run Siremar‑Sns routes face an 18 % hike
From today, an 18 % surcharge applies to the Siremar‑Sns services covered by a state contract. Federalberghi, representing small‑island hotels, called the move “the latest paradox between political rhetoric and island reality.”
President Christian Del Bono expressed “deep bitterness” over the gap between promises of island support and the actual willingness of authorities to act. He said the surcharge pushes total price increases close to 84 % since 2022, while service frequencies have been cut.
Federalberghi points out that the regional government is listed as the contract’s overseer and co‑owner of tariff decisions. Article 6 of the agreement allows the region to request a halt to hikes by using its own compensation funds. The clause was designed to give the region leverage during fiscal stress.
If tickets rise by 18 %, the federation argues, it is because funds are being redirected to balance fast‑track regional vessels, leaving the state contract without economic cushioning. The group warns that prolonged uncertainty harms the islands’ tourism reputation and urges President Renato Schifani to take charge of the dispute.
While the ministry maintains that passenger fares for regular routes remain unchanged, the separate 18 % increase on Siremar‑Sns lines shows that not all maritime services are covered by the same pricing commitment.