A number of ferry issues are up for change or proposed to change in the near term. Most of the changes are already in motion. Most need input from the public, especially the users. One of them needs immediate attention.
I will start with the latter. For the first time in over a decade, the Legislature is poised to take a vote that will greatly help the Washington State Ferries (WSF) survive. At present, the House Transportation Committee has proposed two primary bills, HB 1954 and 1955, to provide transportation funding and expenditure. These bills will fund a third of the new 144-car, Olympic Class, ferries and add dedicated operations and maintenance funding. The full House and Senate have not voted on either of these bills. I urge every islander to write the legislators and tell them of the need to support ferries without cutting these funds. We are all dependent on the ferries, and — as has been shown in the past weeks and year — we have two very sick ferries. We need to write ASAP.
From 6 to 8 p.m. June 18, WSF will hold a public meeting at McMurray Middle School. Your voices are needed. If you do not speak up, then WSF will decide many issues that will not be to your liking or in the best interests of the island. Among the points will be a discussion of the legislative session, the problems and possible solutions facing the route because of the condition of the Klahowya and Tilikum. It is crucial to speak up about the desire of the island to have full boats or on-time-performance.
Public input will be sought for a schedule change to the north end of the island. This is in partial response to the problems with the Klahowya, but also with the potential of getting a second large Issaquah-class vessel. Because of the problems associated with the Fauntleroy dock capacity, one solution is to spread the schedule out and drop round trips. We need input. If you do not speak, then you will likely get run over, and it will be more difficult to get on and off the island. I doubt that this is likely to happen soon, but the schedule is being worked on and will be a place-keeper for when a boat is available. Though the two new boats will eventually come online, we’re not sure if they will replace Vashon’s aging boats or provide relief on other routes in the system.
There will also be information on the WSF tariff proposal. The Washington State Transportation Commission will hold public meetings and a final hearing at the end of July to adopt the proposal. The battle was fought and lost, so the proposal increases vehicle fares 3 percent and 2.5 percent in October 2013 and May 2014. The passenger fares are proposed to go up only 2 percent in each of the above. There are also changes in the motorcycle, oversize and small vehicle fares.
I invite you to come to the Vashon Ferry Advisory Committee meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight, June 12, at the Vashon Chamber office. We will give a preview of these items, and I hope to see you at both meetings.
— Greg Beardsley is a longtime member of the Ferry Advisory Committee.
Ferry meetings
The Ferry Advisory Committee will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight, June 12, at the Chamber of Commerce office.
Washington State Ferry representatives will hold a public meeting about ferry issues from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, at McMurray Middle School.
