Editor,
Today we hear plenty of concern about the health of our Puget Sound ferry system. We see regular references in the News-Times to problems and possible solutions. One latest solution is powering vessels using electric storage batteries. In addition to a full-press embrace of latest technology, we may need to look at ferry system redesign – a whole new way of operating.
Heightened concern on Puget Sound about replacing or acquiring new ferry boats is not new. Nor is discontent over ferry staffing levels and worker satisfaction. In 1951, these concerns reached a head, leading to a whole new, publicly-operated system.
Former private ferry business managers of Puget Sound Navigation’s Blackball Line questioned whether the system was sustainable if it went public. They thought an amorphous general public’s taxes would rise to shore up an understandably vocal minority of riders.
So, with the private sector’s prophecy seemingly fulfilled today, what should we do?
Emeritus committee advisors to our ferry system have recently joined together with citizens to look at possible solutions. They recommend restructuring and are currently looking just to the north of us at British Columbia’s bold approach, initiated 21 years ago.
BC Ferries management, riders and citizens sounded the alarm about the state of the public system in 2003 and acted. They took ferry service management away from the BC government. They transformed it into a largely self-supporting system that is guided by an independent Ferry Authority. Authority directors represent a wide range of ferry system stakeholders. Overall regulation is by an independent Commissioner and the system is accountable to the public through regular, transparent reporting.
The reworked B.C. ferry system is essentially charged to float their vessels on sound business practice, regulatory guidance and prescribed public reporting and performance review.
We may need to do something different here on Puget Sound. Electric ferries are surely part of the solution. But is such a full body embrace of new technology really all that is needed?
Lee B. James
Coupeville
