Mike, it's actually Cape Air that is buying new aircraft. First delivery is over 2 years away however.
The fares are up for the reason you mention. American was flying 64 seat ATR's into EIS. 6 0f them a day was 384 seats. All the other airlines combined probably don't have more then 200 seats a day now verses 500 or so total back then. Supply and demand. Very limited supply combined with the BVI government utter failure to address the ferry situation have insured strong demand.