Date:  Friday, December 19, 2008

Contact: Marta Coursey, Communications Director, 206-515-3918 

SEATTLE – Today, 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 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 is as follows: 

• Monday, Jan. 5, 5:30-7:30 p.m. – Port Townsend/Keystone
  Pope Marine Building, 100 Madison St., Port Townsend.
• Tuesday, Jan. 6, 6-8 p.m. – Clinton/Mukilteo
  Useless Bay Golf Club, 5725 South Country Club Dr., Langley.
• Wednesday, Jan. 7, 6-8 p.m. – Vashon Island
  McMurray Middle School, 9329 SW Cemetery Rd., Vashon Island.
• Thursday, Jan. 8, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Bremerton/Seattle
  Kitsap Conference Center, Harborside, 100 Washington Ave., Bremerton.
• Monday, Jan. 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Southworth
  South Colby Elementary, 3281 Banner Rd. SE, Port Orchard.
• Tuesday, Jan. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Bainbridge Island/Seattle
  Bainbridge Island Commons, 402 Brien Dr., Bainbridge Island.
• Wednesday, Jan. 14, 6-8 p.m. – Kingston/Edmonds
  Kingston Yacht Club, 25915 Washington Blvd., Kingston.
• 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.
• Wed., Jan. 21, 6-8 p.m. – Fauntleroy
  Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California SW, Seattle.

There are many easy ways to obtain a copy of the draft plan:

• Attend a public hearing
• Online at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/planning/ESHB2358
• Visit a local library
• Request a CD by calling 206-515-3411

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