Ferries study warns: no money for projects

[SS San Mateo]

Washington State Ferries are in such tough financial shape, there's no way to pay for $410 million in capital projects such as new boats and ferry terminals.

Further, because of high labor and fuel costs, ferry management "has little opportunity to control operating costs effectively. The gap in capital funding is likely to be the largest financial problems facing Washington State Ferries."

These were among the findings in a draft of a new, 67-page ferries-financing study given Wednesday to the state Legislature's Joint Transportation Committee.

More at:

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003508574_ferry04m.html

[EGfleet]

vashondude said:

Washington State Ferries are in such tough financial shape, there's no way to pay for $410 million in capital projects such as new boats and ferry terminals.

Further, because of high labor and fuel costs, ferry management "has little opportunity to control operating costs effectively. The gap in capital funding is likely to be the largest financial problems facing Washington State Ferries."

These were among the findings in a draft of a new, 67-page ferries-financing study given Wednesday to the state Legislature's Joint Transportation Committee.

More at:

seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003508574_ferry04m.html

I'm wondering if that "new boats" remark is inaccurate, as the new gas tax was supposed to cover the four new ferries...maybe, on the plus side of this report it'll will force the state to re-exam their bloated plans for the new terminals at Colman Dock and in Anacortes.

That being said, the truth of the matter is the ferries have been underfunded since I-695 went through and no one has come up with a way to permanently fund them since.

Why is it when you ask for money for ferries it becomes a "subsidy?" You never hear that word when talking about I-5 or the new 520 bridge they want to build or any of the roads in this state. Put the highway on water and suddenly it is expected to pay for itself. It's maddening and completely unfair.

[SS San Mateo]

I'm guessing the "new boats" remark referred to the long range plans which, IIRC, include 6 new ferries.

[EGfleet]

vashondude said:

I'm guessing the "new boats" remark referred to the long range plans which, IIRC, include 6 new ferries.

Ah, okay, that would make sense.

Hmm, six? Replacements for the Evergreens and Supers. Lordy, hard to believe the Supers are going to be 40 this year.