Islands' ferry service – weigh in on new plans, including local control (and costs) for ferries

WSDOT Ferries Division seeks comments on its draft long-range plan
On Dec. 19, Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Ferries Division (WSF) released its draft long-range plan for services and investments through 2030 for Washington’s marine transportation system.
“The draft plan comes at a historic point in marine transportation,” said David Moseley, Ferries Division Assistant Secretary. “Demand for ferry service is projected to increase as population in ferry-served communities grows, but the system is constrained by tight financial resources, limited vehicle carrying capacities during peak periods, and aging vessels and terminals.” The draft plan puts forward two options for consideration:
Plan A. This option assumes that the State will continue in its current role as owner, operator, and principal funder of ferry services in the Puget Sound region. Current level of service remains with operational strategies implemented over time and several new vessels coming online. This plan contains a significant budget shortfall that will require new revenues.
Plan B. This option recognizes that the State may not be able to provide new revenues to meet the evolving needs of all ferry customers and communities, and looks at marine transportation very differently. It proposes an alternative where the State takes responsibility for the core marine highway system and a locally-funded entity or entities would take responsibility for a new marine transit system. This option also assumes operational strategies would be implemented over time. It also contains a budget shortfall, but it is significantly smaller than Plan A.
In January 2009, WSF will hold public hearings on the draft long-range plan. The hearings are an opportunity for the public to learn more about the two options for consideration and to provide feedback. Public comments received will help inform the final plan, which will be provided to the State Legislature on Jan. 31.
The format for the hearings is a 30-minute presentation followed by a 90-minute public comment period. “Public feedback is critical to the development of the long-range plan,” said David Moseley. “This is the community’s opportunity to comment on the draft plan which will guide services and investments for our state marine transportation system over the next 22 years.”
The public hearing schedule in the San Juan Islands isas follows:
Thursday, Jan. 15, 11:35 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – San Juan Islands Aboard San Juan Inter-Island Ferry.
Thursday, Jan. 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Anacortes Fidalgo Senior Center, 1701 22nd St., Anacortes.

Those concerned can obtain a copy of the draft plan by:
Attending a public hearing
Going online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/planning/ESHB2358
Visiting a local library
Requesting a CD by calling 206-515-3411

To comment on the draft long-range plan:
Attend a public hearing
E-mail wsfplanning@wsdot.wa.gov
Write to Washington State Ferries, Attn. Joy Goldenberg, 2901 3rd Ave., Seattle, WA 98121

Background: WSF has spent the past year working to address the long-term financial sustainability of the ferry system. This work stems from 2007 legislation (ESHB 2358). The legislation identified specific topics for study and required new levels of cooperation and collaboration between the Washington State Legislature, Washington State Transportation Commission and WSDOT.
For more information on the ferry financing legislated studies, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/planning/ESHB2358.
For more ferry system information, please visit the WSF Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries. To sign up for free e-mail alerts about service disruptions and other route information, click on the link in the far left column of the Web site.