Amy Drayer is the director of Islanders for Ferry Action.

Last week, a delegation of local elected officials and community leaders from across Washington’s ferry-served regions converged in Olympia for three days of “Fix Our Ferries” lobbying at the state capitol.

Local advocates met with legislators over Feb. 4-6 to discuss long-term and short-term solutions to ongoing operational challenges at Washington State Ferries (WSF).

Advocates from Vashon as well as the counties of San Juan, Island, and Kitsap met with more than 15 representatives and senators to advocate for three core priorities: build new boats to restore the WSF fleet as quickly as possible, allocate funds for continued crew retention and recruitment, and support policies to increase transparency and accountability at WSF.

These “Fix Our Ferries” priorities are now co-signed by twenty-nine regional entities, representing local agencies, governments, organizations, healthcare advocates, chambers of commerce, and elected officials from communities across the Sound affected by ongoing WSF service disruptions.

Vashon’s Islanders for Ferry Action (IFA) took a lead role in organizing the regional coalition and with the recent lobby days. Advocates from ferry-served counties included commissioners and councilmembers, county policy analysts, Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) members, and community members. Vashon was represented by residents, FAC, and IFA leadership.

Wendy Aman, IFA steering committee member, was present for several meetings with legislators. She’s optimistically cautious about conversations with elected officials from the 34th district about Vashon priorities.

“It was encouraging to see our elected officials all fully engaged and aware of our critical need for better service,” Aman said. “While they all referenced the very tight transportation budget, they also recognize the problems that still plague both of Vashon’s routes and are committed to helping find and win solutions.”

The coordinated participation of so many public officials from around the region is new in recent years and highlights the widespread economic and social consequences of WSF’s ongoing operational challenges. Service reductions, vessel shortages, and staffing crises have continued to disrupt lives and businesses, delay emergency medical care, and isolate communities.

Aman said that a highlight for Vashon advocates was the opportunity to meet with newly appointed 34th District Representative Brianna Thomas.

“She was focused, listened well, and made it clear she’s working closely with her colleagues in the legislature to come up to speed very quickly on Vashon’s needs and community,” Aman said.

Thomas now holds the seat vacated by Emily Alvarado, who was appointed as senator for the 34th district in January. That seat became vacant when former Senator Joe Nguyen was appointed as Secretary of Commerce by Governor Bob Ferguson.

Another of Vashon’s marine transit priorities expressed by travelers is retention and expansion of water taxi service. That expansion now has two possible directions forward.

The first is an appropriation submitted by Senator Alvarado to continue the current schedule and provide additional funding for weekend service on the Vashon to Seattle downtown route. Specific details about the expansion of service are not yet available.

In 2024, Alvarado submitted and advocated for a $3.2 million dollar appropriation that brought Vashon midday water taxi service.

The other pathway for expanded passenger only service is a bill introduced by Bainbridge Representative Greg Nance. If passed, it would provide an avenue for funding that would both expand current service and potentially offer passenger service to Des Moines as well as downtown Seattle.

Nicknamed the Mosquito Fleet Act, it would offer communities across Washington the opportunity to apply for funds from a $25 million per year block grant program for the purchase and operation of passenger service. IFA is helping to advocate for that bill, HB 1923, in coalition with civic leadership from Des Moines and Seattle’s Historic South Downtown.