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03/03/2005: "Bringing The Islands Together"

For Sure Not Berkeley, But A Protest March Against Un-Fair Fares

By Staff

It has been standing room only for the public input hearings by the Tariff policy Committee. Not even the old timers can recall such large turnouts by the citizens of San Juan County for any reason or cause, let alone a transportation issue involving a fare proposal. If the state Department of Transportation truly wanted public input on the price of a ferry ride, they have found the formula for participation: increase the fares, decrease service. The record breaking crowds across the county were nearly unanimous in their opposition to the presented proposals, and by the time of the last meeting on Orcas, even the State panel agreed that changes will be made based on the wide objections and criticisms of the fare proposals.


Standing Room Only, Filled Hallways, Limited Time To Speak

While the point of the meeting was for the Committee to receive input on the fare proposal, there were any number of additional general comments on the ferry system as a whole, ranging from complaints about service, to the condition of the restrooms (click here for an example in the Weekly Nag), to more complex state budget and tax issues. Long time resident, and active county citizen, Jan Osborn made a direct link between the passage of the tax initiatives that resulted in loss revenue, and the need to raise the price of tickets. On Orcas there was discussion of why there was a need for the 15 million cost of the new automatic ticket system. The State maintained the current system is outdated and needs to be replaced, but admitted the state does not expect there to be a pay-back to the cost of the system. After the meeting, Jim Nelson of Orcas island opined that a private corporation would never invest that much money without having some assurance that there would be a pay-back.

A number of citizens were concerned about the lack of an investigation into the negative economic impacts on the county as a whole, and questioned why an Economic Impact Study had not been done. It was felt such a study could compare the projected $250,000.00 increase in revenue for the ferry system against the unknown loss of revenue to the local economy that may result from the fare increases.
How the commitment to the new ticket system will truly have an impact on the price of a ferry ride is not clear at this time.

The oddest proposal from the state was the adopting of a so-called promotional fare for non-commercial oversize vehicles. This would allow oversized recreational vehicles and buses on the international routes to be subsidized by the system.

There is still time to influence the decision makers, and the last time to give input will be on March 23rd, 10:00am to Noon, at the PSRC Board Room on the 5th floor at 1011 Western Avenue in Seattle.