The Practical Dilemma and Optimization Path of Ferry Subsidy Strategy under the Livelihood Attribute: A Study Based on the Cost-Benefit Perspective

As a transportation infrastructure that combines livelihood security and public service attributes, the sustainable operation of ferries highly relies on government subsidies and support. This article is based on cost theory and the principle of public policy efficiency, combined with three typical cases of Shantou Ferry (urban commuting type), Bohai Ferry (regional passenger rolling type), and Zhuhai Wanshan Islands Ferry (island livelihood type), to systematically analyze the policy framework, implementation mechanism, and cost composition of ferry subsidies in China. Research has found that the current subsidy system has three major structural problems: a “target deviation funnel”, an “efficiency loss funnel”, and a “regulatory deficiency funnel”. Among them, island ferries face a special dilemma of “spatiotemporal mismatch funnel” due to their wide service radius and large passenger flow fluctuations. By constructing a three-dimensional optimization model of “precise cost accounting-dynamic adjustment-full process supervision”, this paper proposes measures such as classification subsidy mechanism, market-oriented compensation path, and digital supervision system, providing theoretical references and practical paradigms for improving the effectiveness of different types of ferry subsidy policies.