Expect ferry reductions to be long-term

Reductions in ferry service won’t end after the Sidney, B.C. dock is repaired. In fact, they’re going to be a part of island life long-term, Washington State Ferries Chief Executive Office Mike Thorne told the Ferry Advisory Committee Nov. 21.

The failure of state Referendum 51 is forcing the ferry system to go in that direction. The referendum, which was turned down by state voters earlier this month, would have provided funds for four new ferries plus major capital improvements to ferry terminals.

And with little likelihood that the state legislature will come up the money for capital improvements, Thorne has concluded that the ferry system will have to go it alone and generate the improvements from within. That will be accomplished by what he described as “consolidation of service” and requiring communities served by Washington State Ferries “to own a greater share of the services they expect from the ferry service.”

“We still have to replace the boats,” Thorne said, referring to four 100-car ferries that are nearly 80 years old. He rejected the notion that they should be repaired, describing such a a strategy as one that is “destined to failure.” Among the boats in question are the Nisqually and the Illahee, which handle the inter-island ferry route.

Thorne argued that the plan was in everybody’s interest long-term. “We don’t want to look at this as a punitive exercise,” he said. “We can accomplish this without being punitive.”

As for having local communities pay in order to maintain current service levels, Thorne said, “There has to be a public subsidy some place. There has to be an acceptance of responsibility.”

Thorne acknowledged that his plan was a work in progress, and he promised to consult with San Juan County Commissioners and Ferry Advisory Committee members before announcing specific cuts in service. “We’ll have a lot of discussion, and a lot of input,” he said.

Ferry Advisory Committee chairman Bob Distler welcomed the opportunity to participate in development of the plan. “We expect to be proactive,” he said. But Distler noted that San Juan County would not be able to subsidize ferry operations. “We’re not in a position to pay anything,” he said.

Thorne said work on such a plan needs to begin right away. “The worst thing we could do is sit on our hands until January, then ask the legislature to help us.”

Significantly, Thorne indicated that huge fare hikes wouldn’t subsidize new ferries and terminals. The ferry system’s chief executive officer said he remains committed to a “5-5-5” plan which would raise fares next year by 5 percent, lower costs by 5 percent, and generate an additional 5 percent in revenues from sources other than fares.