Deborah Young, Washington State Transportation Commissioner

At the Transportation Commission one of our jobs is to draft the long range plan for Washington’s transportation infrastructure. This plan, updated every four years, requires listening to cities, counties, and businesses from around the state, and everyday users of streets, railroads, airports and ferries. The comprehensive plan can be found at www.wtp2040andbeyond.com.

The recently completed 2040 transportation plan identifies a few top priority tough topics to address; one of them is our state’s aging ferry system. Washington State Ferries (WSF), the largest ferry system in the nation, faces many of the same challenges as other parts of the transportation system. Preservation work has been underfunded and deferred; peak period demand exceeds capacity; several outdated terminals will not withstand an earthquake or tsunami.

WSF released its own well-documented long range plan in January.

The WSF plan goes into greater detail than the statewide transportation plan but reaches the same conclusions:

— Thirteen ferries need to be built in the next 20 years to maintain the existing fleet size

— Three standby vessels are needed to ensure adequate time for preservation and maintenance work

— This total of 16 new vessels will improve reliability but not meet expected growth in demand

Many older vessels in the state ferry system are over 50 years old. The age of the fleet means vessels need more time spent in drydock to keep running reliably. With WSF retiring the 52-year old Hyak this month with no replacement ready, the ferry system will be even more vulnerable to disruptions, cancellations and delays, than the many that occurred in 2018. Without additional boats, WSF may be forced to look at reductions in service in the future.

WSF’s long-range plan calls for construction of five new Olympic Class ferries over the next ten years, three of which will replace retiring vessels and two of which are needed as relief vessels so that the existing vessels in the fleet can get the maintenance they need to last 60 years.

This is a big challenge. It will cost over $750 million to build five new ferries. Although ferry riders pay almost 75% of the operating and maintenance costs with fares – a much higher farebox return than most public transit – an additional 25 cent capital surcharge on each ticket, dedicated to new vessels, helps to cover the capital expense of building new ferries.

WSF provides a necessary transportation service for tens of thousands of residents in the ferry dependent communities who rely on them for commuting to work or to reach essential services, and in some cases ferries are the only way to reach the mainland. Washington’s ferries are also the top tourist attraction for visitors to Washington.

Although the Legislature authorized funding for one new vessel in the recently passed transportation budget this action falls far short of the need. Our state’s aging ferry system needs not one but five additional vessels as soon as possible to stabilize the fleet and improve reliability. More investment must follow soon for the additional vessels, terminal improvements, technology improvements and partnerships with transit agencies if we are to meet growing demand and provide alternatives to congested highways.

To ensure this important and iconic part of our states transportation system is sustainable, it will require focused and persistent leadership. The state ferry system needs our attention and a reliable funding source for new vessels. Nothing less than Washington’s great quality of life and vibrant economy is at risk.

Deborah Young is a member of the Washington State Transportation Commission and lives in San Juan County. Learn more about the commission and its role at https://wstc.wa.gov/