Angry commuters got in their cars and drove to work on the first day of a ferry route’s 100 percent fare increase.Many users of the pink ferry route showed their upset at the fare increase by turning their backs on their usual mode of public transport.The first day of the boycott is understood to have resulted in less than half of the usual passengers turning up for some morning and afternoon commuter services.It comes after Transport Minister Terry Lister ploughed ahead with doubling the cost of the Paget/Warwick fare from $2.50 to $5.Commuter Debra Saltus said she was now driving to work even though she had paid for a quarterly travel pass, which runs out at the end of the year.She said: “I’m not very happy about driving to work, it isn’t very pleasant at all.“It’s a 45 minute journey with lots of traffic and I would prefer to be on the ferry.“Our main gripe remains that we are being expected to pay more than those in the west end. It’s a 100 percent increase at a time when everyone is struggling.“It’s sad it’s come to this … one minute we are being encouraged to use public transport, then it seems we are being discouraged.”Ms Saltus added: “I’m not going back on that ferry. I’m not paying the increase, I’ll just have to get used to the traffic or start to leave home earlier.”Ms Saltus, who lives in Warwick, left for work in Hamilton at 7.45am yesterday and drove along Harbour Road before “hitting all the traffic” on East Broadway.The bank worker used her EasyPark device to park in the car park on Front Street, and had to move her car every three hours. However, she plans to start parking on the top floor of Bull’s Head car park for the cheaper cost of $5.Commuters have accused Mr Lister of “messing it all up” by ignoring their concerns and a petition signed by about 200 people.Mr Lister told the House of Assembly back in July that the ferry route had been plagued by low ridership and that it cost Government more than $1 million a year to provide seven-day and holiday service.The Ministry of Transport initially said the increase would begin on August 1 but it was postponed until November 1 without a reason being given.Those who use the pink route yesterday reported that there was “not a very good turnout” on the commuter services, which are “usually loaded with people”.The car park at the Darrell’s Wharf ferry stop was also reportedly empty when passengers are “usually fighting for a space”.Ms Saltus, who had been using the ferry since 1986, said: “It’s been very sad for us. The ferry passengers are like a family, we used to sit there and chitchat and have a really good relaxing time at the beginning and end of each day.“There are years and years of friendships on that ferry, but we’ve had to say bye to each other.“We didn’t need to stand with placards or announce a formal boycott as it’s happened on its own. Passengers aren’t happy.”The new prices mean that regular ferry tokens are no longer accepted on the route and special tokens have to be purchased. A monthly pass has increased from $55 to $110 and a quarterly pass from $135 to $270.It is understood that some passengers tried to use their regular tickets yesterday but were told to get off the ferry unless they were willing to pay the price difference.Other passengers “drove out of their way and away from town” to Rockaway so they could catch another ferry route using their regular travel passes.Marshall DeCouto is against the price increase but living on Hinson’s Island he relies on the service, saying: “It’s the ferry or nowhere for me.”He said: “The effect of the boycott was very visible” he counted just 34 passengers compared to the usual 70-80 passengers on yesterday’s 7.35am service.Mr DeCouto said: “Unfortunately we don’t have the option to boycott. But if the system isn’t generating enough money, then it should be a system-wide change.“Just increasing the cost of one ferry route makes no sense. They are putting their finances before the needs of the people.“We are not against an increase, but it should be across the board and moderate.”Mr DeCouto says the drop in passengers will result in more traffic congestion and a loss of revenue for Government. He has worked out that fewer passengers paying more money will earn Government less money than more passengers paying less.The commuters understand the boycott could result in the ferry service being axed, but they remain hopeful that Government will have a change of heart.Ms Saltus said: “We’d be very disappointed if the service was lost.“We just want them to listen to the people … they are not listening to our plight.”The Ministry of Transport did not return our requests for comment yesterday.