Action Needed On Ferry Fares

By Lee Sturdivant

For those who couldn't attend the recent ferry fare hearings at the Mullis Center, I'd like to share a couple of points that seem important on this issue.

First of all, we should all be grateful for our Ferry Advisory Committee led by Alex MacLeod of Shaw Island, and for their energetic defense of Islanders confronted with ever increasing fares and deteriorating service.

What also became apparent is that these issues must be solved by our state legislators. Years ago, when the values-based auto excise tax went away with Tim Eyman's initiative, our ferry service began to sink. The courts later ruled the initiative unconstitutional, but the legislature has not been willing to revisit that funding source. Our fares have more than doubled since then, our service is under constant strain.


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