Post by EGfleet on Apr 20, 2007 5:24:44 GMT -8
Looks like the House and Senate have agreed up a freeze:
Modified Ferry Fare Freeze Agreed Upon
By Kitsap Sun staff
April 20, 2007
OLYMPIA
Ferry fares will go up as scheduled on May 1, but a compromise between House and Senate members reached Thursday should make that hike the last one two and a half years.
That agreement could save Washington State Ferry system riders up to $55 million, according to one local representative, and give the Legislature time to look for cost-cutting measures to keep fares from escalating in the future.
The compromise reached Thursday also includes provisions to bar the use of ferry fares on capital expenses and to increase ferry-rider input into fare and operation decisions. The House and Senate are expected to take action on the agreed-upon measure before Sunday’s close of the legislative session.
"By blocking the use of fares on capital expenses, we will be saving $518 million in fare revenue over the next 16 years — money that can be used to keep fares down," said Rep. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island.
Lawmakers from the north end of Puget Sound had debated with Kitsap representatives about a fare freeze proposal this session, with Kitsap legislators requesting to stop a 2.5 percent increase for 2007 recommended by the state Transportation Commission. Rolfes sponsored a bill that would have prevented any fare increases until 2008, but some Senate members opposed the bill and stripped the ferry freeze language, saying such a move would hurt the state system by cutting revenues.
Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo, supported the agreement reached Thursday.
"I have long been an advocate of ferry-dependent communities getting a fair shake in transportation funding," Appleton said. "This legislation is a step in the right direction and will, I hope, open a greater dialogue surrounding the long-term funding of our ferries — which in my eyes serve as our marine highways."
Modified Ferry Fare Freeze Agreed Upon
By Kitsap Sun staff
April 20, 2007
OLYMPIA
Ferry fares will go up as scheduled on May 1, but a compromise between House and Senate members reached Thursday should make that hike the last one two and a half years.
That agreement could save Washington State Ferry system riders up to $55 million, according to one local representative, and give the Legislature time to look for cost-cutting measures to keep fares from escalating in the future.
The compromise reached Thursday also includes provisions to bar the use of ferry fares on capital expenses and to increase ferry-rider input into fare and operation decisions. The House and Senate are expected to take action on the agreed-upon measure before Sunday’s close of the legislative session.
"By blocking the use of fares on capital expenses, we will be saving $518 million in fare revenue over the next 16 years — money that can be used to keep fares down," said Rep. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island.
Lawmakers from the north end of Puget Sound had debated with Kitsap representatives about a fare freeze proposal this session, with Kitsap legislators requesting to stop a 2.5 percent increase for 2007 recommended by the state Transportation Commission. Rolfes sponsored a bill that would have prevented any fare increases until 2008, but some Senate members opposed the bill and stripped the ferry freeze language, saying such a move would hurt the state system by cutting revenues.
Rep. Sherry Appleton, D-Poulsbo, supported the agreement reached Thursday.
"I have long been an advocate of ferry-dependent communities getting a fair shake in transportation funding," Appleton said. "This legislation is a step in the right direction and will, I hope, open a greater dialogue surrounding the long-term funding of our ferries — which in my eyes serve as our marine highways."