WSF meeting at 6 p.m. Notification received at 10:15 a.m.
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I attended this meeting (having read the notice from a day or two ago and registering). If you have any questions or complaints regarding WSF, I highly recommend that you register and attend the 2nd online meeting to be held 6pm on January 12. There is a lengthy Q&A period, and not once did I hear WSF personnel make what I thought were lame excuses, for any of the recent and current issues.
Guaranteed, you will leave that meeting with much more knowledge than all the overwhelmingly negative community hearsay and complaints we’ve been tossing around for “forever.” I was very, very impressed.
I also attended the meeting last night and came away with an entirely opposite impression. I heard more excuses than I could count. The general response to almost every question related to core services ( sailings with sufficient crew ) were answered with responses that outlined how complex and difficult everything is and has been.
There were few if any subjects that had a clear path forward with dedicated plans in place. No goals outlined had clear deadlines. Just a sense of we are trying and some things will eventually happen ( or maybe not in a few responses ). There is also a lot of planned heavy reliance upon 3rd party hired consultants to help solve problems rather than internal capacity within the system itself. I have had correspondence with friends this morning who also attended this meeting and their impressions were identical to mine.
On another note to have some positive lining to close this commentary. My wife and I travelled on WSF from Anacortes to Orcas on Sunday the 26th. The first ferry of the day in the middle of the worst of the extreme weather. The sailing was on time. The crew did an amazing job in 10 degree temperatures and wind driven snow. I felt grateful for their dedication and hard work.
Ever notice how NOTHING of subtance EVER changes after these “community participation” sessions? Placating the masses with happy blather is what top heavy governmental bureaucracies always turn to when they feel public sentiment is against them. It’s so much easier than actually fixing anything!
Tracy+McQueen – Was there ANY mention of the state releasing their monopoly on ferry routes? Was there ANY mention of the protectionist state law requiring ferries be built in Washington; by the SINGLE shipbuilding corporation that is qualified? (thus making Federal road dollars unavailable for boats) Was there ANY mention of anything other than more-of-the-same failing policies that WSF has been diligently pursuing for generations?
Frustrated captives of government monopolies want to know…
I did not leave this meeting encouraged. Out of 500 attendees, approx. 30% expressed interest in the San Juan route. The format WSF provided required questions to be privately submitted and the panel would choose which to answer. The questions were then paraphrased by the moderator; I never heard anything resembling my questions. However, I did hear questions regarding when the water fountains and vending services would be operating.
Concerning crewing and service, I heard many excuses. COVID was repeatedly blamed for problems that predated the pandemic. TMobile was blamed for issues with timely ferry alerts. We were told the ferries are part of WA highways, thus a preferential reservation system for islanders would be unlawful. Then we were told decisions regarding service disruptions were based on ridership; I can’t recall the last time a highway was shut down based on usage.
The panel cited the global shortage of Mariners and the challenges inherent in hiring. Yet when asked whether a hiring bonus could be offered, as is the case with other transportation sectors, the response was that it wasn’t necessary.
For those intending to participate in the 1/11 meeting – be prepared for platitudes, talking points and no insight into how service will improve in the future. But I guess we’re all prepared for that.
I don’t know Ken Woods and therefore can’t count him as one of the friends that I shared notes with this morning. I second the entirety of his commentary and questions. Nicely done Ken.