Overview
During the 2007 legislative session, the Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2358 (ESHB 2358) - “the Ferry Bill” - and the associated biennial transportation budget ESHB 1094. The legislation contains specific policy and operational directives to assess the efficiency and costs related to how Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) /Washington State Ferries (WSF) provides service. The results of the studies that we conduct to address the legislation are intended to derive strategies for how WSDOT/WSF operates in the future.
The legislation identifies specific topics for study and requires new levels of cooperation and collaboration among the Legislature (through the Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) and the new JTC Ferry Policy Subcommittee), the Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC), and WSDOT/WSF. These directives follow from the January 2007 JTC Ferry Financing Study (also referred to as Ferry Financing Phase 1 or the Cedar River Group Report) and are the next steps in the process of developing a policy framework to address the long-term sustainability of WSDOT/WSF.
Given the mission-critical nature of the legislative direction, WSDOT/WSF leadership is committed to meeting the objectives of ESHB 2358 through a comprehensive and systemic methodology.
Work program
The flowchart below shows what occurred prior to the legislation (ESHB 2358/1094) and what work we expect to occur leading up to the 2009 legislative session. It also depicts the iterative, collaborative effort between the WSTC, WSDOT/WSF and JTC to arrive at a revised long-range plan for the ferry system and draft 16-year capital budget.
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JTC ferry policy subcommittee
The Joint Transportation Committee (JTC) has formed a Ferry Policy Subcommittee to provide review and oversight. Members of this subcommittee include:
- Representative Christine Rolfes
- Rep. Larry Seaquist
- Rep. Chris Strow
- Rep. Judy Clibborn
- Rep. Fred Jarrett
- Senator Mary Margaret Haugen
- Sen. Dan Swecker
- Sen. Derek Kilmer
- Sen. Harriett Spanel
The subcommittee is supported by a staff group comprised of:
- Jill Satran, Governor's office
- Paul Neal, JTC staff
- Senate & House Transportation Staff
- Kathy Scanlan, Cedar River Group
- Steve Reinmuth, WSDOT Chief of Staff (interim)
- Gary Lebow, WSDOT Program Delivery Manager
- Reema Griffith - WSTC Executive Director
- Rich Struna, Office of Financial Management
- Robin Rettew, Office of Financial Management
- Traci Brewer-Rogstad, WSDOT/WSF Deputy Director
- Marta Coursey, WSDOT/WSF Communications Director
- Ray Deardorf, WSDOT/WSF Planning Director
- John White, WSDOT/WSF Terminal Engineering Director
WSTC market survey oversight group
The Washington State Transportation Commission (WSTC) has formed a group to oversee the market surveys. Membership includes:
- Commissioner Bob Distler
- Comm. Dan O'Neal
- Comm. Elmira Forner
- Reema Griffith, WSTC Executive Director
- Jill Satran, Governor's office
- Paul Neal, JTC staff
- Senate & House Transportation Staff
- Kathy Scanlan, Cedar River Group
- Steve Reinmuth, WSDOT Chief of Staff (interim)
- Traci Brewer-Rogstad, WSDOT/WSF Deputy Director
- Marta Coursey, WSDOT/WSF Communications Director
- Ray Deardorf, WSDOT/WSF Planning Director
- Ferry Advisory Committee Representative
WSDOT/WSF organization
As noted above, WSDOT/WSF has responsibility for several key tasks including: operational, pricing and vehicle level of service (LOS) strategies, terminal design standards, ridership forecasts, and co-development. WSDOT/WSF has identified several teams to work in these technical disciplines. We will share information across and up in the organization as well as with the public and local jurisdictions.
WSDOT/WSF shared draft scopes of work (pdf 149 kb) for each of the technical workgroups with the public in Sept. 2007.
Situation assessments
Here are the situation assessments we have completed:
Local agency review team
WSDOT/WSF has formed a local agency review team (LART), comprised of staff representatives from local and regional governments in communities where WSF operates. They serve as a technical sounding board and help ensure consistency with local and regional data and plans. The local agency review team meets at specific milestones. Representation includes:
Regional
- Puget Sound Regional Council, Principal Planner Stephen Kiehl
- Island County Public Works, Transportation Planner Mike Morton
- Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council, Executive Director Mary McClure
Local
- City of Seattle, Department of Transportation, Senior Transportation Planner Ann Sutphin
- City of Bainbridge Island, Director of Planning and Community Development Greg Byrne
- City of Edmonds, Director of Community Services Stephen Clifton
- City of Mukilteo, Director of Community Development Heather McCartney
- City of Friday Harbor, Land Use Administrator Mike Bertrand
- City of Anacortes, Director of Planning and Community Development Ian Munce
- City of Port Townsend, Director of Planning Rick Sepler
- City of Bremerton, Director of Public Works Phil Williams
- San Juan County, County Administrator Pete Rose
- Kitsap County Public Works, Transportation Planner Greg Cloc
Transit
- Kitsap Transit, Director of Service Development John Clausen
- Sound Transit, Senior Planner Matt Shelden
- King County Metro, Management Services Analyst Mike Sudduth
Meeting summaries
We will post meeting summaries after the LART approves the notes at each subsequent meeting.
JTC ferry policy group meeting materials
Below are links to handouts and presentations provided to the JTC Ferry Policy Group at their public meetings.
Aug. 28, 2007
Oct. 30, 2007
Dec. 10, 2007
Jan. 17, 2008
Feb. 7, 2008
Ways to Get Involved
- Attend a public meeting. We received terrific feedback at the eight public meetings held in March/early April 2008. The next public meetings will be held in late June in communities around the Sound. At the June public meetings, we will dialogue with the community about operational and pricing strategies. In October, we will come back to the public with a Draft Long-Range Plan for review and comment.
- Request a briefing for your community group. E-mail (wsfplanning@wsdot.wa.gov) or call (206-515-3411) and we would be happy to meet with you.
- Join our e-mail listserv by writing wsfplanning@wsdot.wa.gov to receive quarterly updates about the ferry financing work. You will also be added to Assistant Secretary David Moseley’s weekly updates.
- Read past meeting materials. This includes past presentations, summary of comments heard at the March public meetings, and information provided to the JTC ferry policy group. (See links immedded in this webpage.)
- Talk to your Local Agency Review Team (LART) representative. WSF has formed a LART, comprised of staff representatives from local and regional governments in communities where WSF operates. (Read more above)
- Continue to visit this webpage as information is updated regularly!
- Talk to your local Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) member. WSF meets with the FAC Executive Council on a regular basis to preview the ferry financing legislative work.
- Write us. We want to hear what you have to say. E-mail wsfplanning@wsdot.wa.gov or write Washington State Ferries, Attn. Joy Goldenberg, 2901 3rd Avenue, Seattle, WA 98121
March/April 2008 - public meetings
In the March/April round of public meetings, we shared information and took public comments on the vehicle level-of-service (LOS) approach and baseline ridership forecasts.
Meeting Handouts
Meeting Summaries
Here's what we anticipate for the rest of 2008:
June 2008 - public meetings
In the June round of public meetings, we'll share information and take public comments on operational and pricing strategies.
Dates and locations for the June public meetings will be posed mid-May.
Fall 2008
In fall 2008 all of the information shared and public comments taken during the March and June public meetings will culminate in a revised draft long-range plan. The long range plan will guide services and investments over the next 30 years.
The revised draft long range plan will be presented at ferry community meetings for public consumption and input. Following these meetings, the plan will be finalized going into the 2009 legislative session.
Past briefings
- Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization
Nov. 16, 2007
10:00 a.m.
Port Hadlock
- San Juan County Council
Dec. 4, 2007
11:15 a.m.
Friday Harbor
- Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce
Dec. 17, 2007
7:30 a.m.
Seattle
- Vashon-Maury Island Community Council
Feb. 18, 2008
7:00 p.m.
Vashon Island
How can I get more information?
To learn more about the work involved, please visit the Washington State Joint Transportation Committee and the Washington State Transportation Commission websites. You may also contact WSDOT/WSF by calling Joy Goldenberg, 206-515-3411 or e-mailing wsfplanning@wsdot.wa.gov.
WSF will send out e-mail updates as new information becomes available. If you are interested in receiving updates, please send an e-mail to wsfplanning@wsdot.wa.gov with "mailing list" in the subject line.