||| FROM SALISH CURRENT |||
“The ferry crisis has been slowly strangling our community for two years now,” opens a report released today by a Salish Sea activist group. “A small town like ours can only take so much. If we do not find solutions soon, the crisis will devastate the health, livelihoods, and education of thousands.”
The 25-page report — titled “An Island in Crisis, Focused on Solutions” — was compiled by the working group Islanders for Ferry Action (IFA), organized by Vashon Islanders in September.
“We need action now to protect the economic well-being, health and quality of life of our 11,000 residents,” the report declares. “We need immediate, real-world, multi-agency solutions to address the harms people are experiencing. We deserve safe, reliable transportation to and from our businesses and homes.”
The report identifies the most critical impacts of disruptions on the Vashon Island ferry run as:
- Students and children stranded on docks, and schools facing economic impacts.
- Emergency services encountering alarming delays and gaps in access to the mainland.
- Patients receiving ongoing, life-saving procedures or care experiencing dangerous delays.
- Small businesses struggling to survive facing mounting economic impacts.
- Commuters losing jobs and wages, waiting hours in line daily.
s one Vashon resident noted, “We have no other way to get off of the island. I understand that it is my choice to live here, but in the 58 years I have been here, this is the worst service I have ever encountered. I’m afraid to drive off of Vashon not knowing when or if I can make it back.”
Island living, dependent on ferries
This sentiment is echoed strongly throughout the San Juan Islands, where ferry cancellations have also been a regularly occurrence.
Unlike all the other ferry routes in Washington, neither Vashon Island nor the San Juan Islands have bridges or driving-around options, making Washington State Ferries (WSF) the only public access for vehicles and passengers.
Amy Nesler, communications manager for the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, said that the bureau has helped businesses be aware of opportunities to speak up and participate. “My impression is that it has gotten worse in the past few months,” Nesler said. Business is down and “with all the negative news coming out of Seattle, the ferries can’t catch a break.”
Nesler said she is looking for positive stories and wishes to show appreciation. “We know they’re struggling, and we’re in this together,” she said.
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“Amy Nesler, communications manager for the San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, said that the bureau has helped businesses be aware of opportunities to speak up and participate. “My impression is that it has gotten worse in the past few months,” Nesler said. Business is down and “with all the negative news coming out of Seattle, the ferries can’t catch a break.”
“Nesler said she is looking for positive stories and wishes to show appreciation. “We know they’re struggling, and we’re in this together,” she said.”
The most positive thing I could think of that would help would be for the County Council to not renew the Visitors Bureau contract which is under review this week.