To the editor:

We appreciate the efforts of the Washington State Ferries; however, other alternatives should be considered.

Last year, I wrote to Sen. Haugen and director David Moseley about his $27 million estimate needed to fully implement his reservation system. My criticism of their fiduciary responsibility ranges from the failure of a big empty parking lot in Mukilteo, to purchasing non-weather protected ticket scanners followed by another purchase of scanners incompatible with the ORCA system.

The ferry system has been operating two double auto-deck Issaquah-class ferries since the late ’80s. As the south island’s population grew to a 3A school, now declining towards a 1A school, it is evident the ferry system failed to stay on pace with growth. Many life-long island residents remember when three and four ferries could be seen operating on our crossing. By not adding a third ferry, mainland working people with children on the island have been finding island life more time consuming and difficult, especially when considering the loss of commuter parking in Mukilteo.

Now imagine the time savings with an overhead passenger walk-way and a third ferry.

I proposed, since the ferry system was paying full crew wages all night, that possibly a smaller less fuel-burning ferry with fewer crew members could be utilized instead — probably for less than the cost associated with tying-up an Issaquah Class-boat with a paid deck crew aboard. Additionally, people trying to get home late from a long drive, to and from their jobs, or going to and from the airport, might be delighted to pay a “midnight surcharge.”

Estimating the Issaquah Class-ferries burn 2,400 gallons of fuel a day, while a smaller 40-car ferry like the Hiyu burns 400 gallons of fuel a day, this just seems to make economic sense. Especially when Moseley affirms this size of late night boat would be half full at 2 a.m. with 15-20 cars on board.

Certainly an open discussion on these alternative solutions might open the door to making the island attractive again.

I understand many islanders enjoy the tranquility found here and like things the way they are. But do you really enjoy seeing teachers losing their jobs, a school closing, increasing numbers of vacant homes and higher taxes as a necessary price to pay for the continuing mismanagement of our ferry system?

Damian Greene

Clinton