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What do folks think about the future of WSF and the long-term plans recently released? Will WSDOT's fond wishes about dismantling the Ferries come true? If you have an opinion or an idea about cost-cutting, consider attending a meeting. They need to hear voices other than the KVI parrots re: privatization and the evil, evil unions. "The draft plan comes a historic point in marine transportation,"said David Moseley, Ferries Division Assistant Secretary. "Demand for ferry service is projected to increase as population in ferry-served communities grows, but the system is constrained by tight financial resources, limited vehicle carrying capacities during peak periods, and aging vessels and terminals."
The draft plan puts forward two options for consideration:
* Plan A. This option assumes that the State will continue in its current role as owner, operator, and principal funder of ferry services in the Puget Sound region. Current level of service remains with operational strategies implemented over time and several new vessels coming online. This plan contains a significant budget shortfall that will require new revenues.
* Plan B. This option recognizes that the State may not be able to provide new revenues to meet the evolving needs of all ferry customers and communities, and looks at marine transportation very differently. It proposes an alternative where the State takes responsibility for the core marine highway system and a locally-funded entity or entities would take responsibility for a new marine transit system. This option also assumes operational strategies would be implemented over time. It also contains a budget shortfall, but it is significantly smaller than Plan A.
The public hearing schedule is as follows:
* Monday, Jan. 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Southworth South Colby Elementary, 3281 Banner Rd. SE, Port Orchard.
* Tuesday, Jan. 13, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Bainbridge Island/Seattle Bainbridge Island Commons, 402 Brien Dr., Bainbridge Island.
* Wednesday, Jan. 14, 6-8 p.m. – Kingston/Edmonds Kingston Yacht Club, 25915 Washington Blvd., Kingston.
* Thursday, Jan. 15, 11:35 a.m.-3:30 p.m. – San Juan Islands Aboard San Juan Inter-Island Ferry.
* Thursday, Jan. 15, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Anacortes Fidalgo Senior Center, 1701 22nd St., Anacortes.
* Wed., Jan. 21, 6-8 p.m. – Fauntleroy Hall at Fauntleroy, 9131 California SW, Seattle. http://www.sanjuanislander.com/state/wsf/dec-19-long-range-plan.shtmlhttp://www.pnwlocalnews.com/sanjuans/jsj/news/36855244.html
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