By Ed Friedrich
From the Kitsap Sun
Crew costs are boomeranging on the state ferry system.
The Coast Guard, which in June allowed Washington State Ferries to cut a deckhand from crews of 10 boats to save money, will likely require those positions to be restored for safety. Ferries Director David Moseley said Tuesday that the expected changes would cost an estimated $9.8 million through June 30, and $14.1 million in the 2013-15 biennium.
The ferries system doesn’t have the money. Even before this latest staffing issue, the Department of Transportation directed WSF to find $5 million in savings for 2013-15. The ferries system proposed $4.8 million in service cuts, including midday and late-night trips between Bremerton and Seattle. The $23.9 million over the next 2 1/2 years would be on top of that. The Legislature needs to find more revenue or further reduce service.
“Safety and the well-being of passengers should be our first concern and not cutting service,” said state Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo. “We will possibly need a dedicated revenue stream to make this happen. One important thing is that it should not be on the backs of the ridership.”
To read the full article, go to:
https://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2012/oct/31/required-number-of-ferry-workers-about-to-go-up/
How on earth do 10 positions restored, cost $9.8 million through June 30th?