Request Federal Ferry Program Funding at the Highest Level Possible in the FY 2025 Budget to Help Restore Full Ferry System Service
PSRC delivered a letter from 38 local elected leaders from across all corners of Puget Sound to leadership of the House and Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Subcommittees urgently requesting funding for federal ferry grant programs at the highest level possible in FY 2025 appropriations.
The letter expresses gratitude for the over $140 million in federal grants Washington State Ferries received over the last two fiscal years and for the additional ferry program investments made in FY 2024 appropriations.
With only 15 of the needed 26 vessels operating and impacts of ferry service reductions reverberating across Puget Sound ferry communities, the local leaders stress that robust federal investment is an important piece of the strategy to urgently restore full system service for the marine highway system.
Communities like mine depend on ferries to get to work, make it to medical appointments and see their loved ones. Service reductions are having real impacts for our residents and our businesses here in Kitsap County and across Puget Sound. We appreciate the recent federal investments in our ferry system and ferry programs. Continued federal partnership and investment is critical to getting our ferry system back to full service. - City of Poulsbo Mayor Rebecca Erickson, President, Puget Sound Regional Council
View Fund Our Ferries Letter (PDF)
Delivered May 7, 2024
Dear Senator Schatz, Senator Hyde-Smith, Representative Womack and Representative Quigley:
The Washington State Ferry system is in crisis. We are local elected officials from ferry communities across all corners of Puget Sound joining together to call upon our federal lawmakers to make robust investments in federal ferry programs to ensure Washington State Ferries (WSF) has needed resources to urgently restore full ferry system service.
Ferries are an essential part of our local communities. They bring tourists to our homegrown small businesses, hotels and restaurants. They transport our residents to life-saving medical appointments. They provide access to family and cultural connections. They get people to and from their jobs.
Right now, the Service Contingency Plan has the fleet operating at only 15 vessels, while WSF relays that 26 vessels are needed to operate at full service and allow for necessary planned maintenance. This drastic reduction in service is resulting in significant impacts on our residents and businesses who rely on ferry service.
We thank the Washington Delegation for the over $140 million in federal grants Washington State Ferries received over the last 2 fiscal years. We are also grateful for the additional ferry program investments made in FY 2024 appropriations. We especially appreciate the definition change for the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program that makes the San Juan routes eligible for funding.
We recommend the following ferry programs be funded at the highest possible level in the FY 2025 budget:
- Passenger Ferry Grant Program
- Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program
- Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program
Action must be taken to preserve our marine highway system for our residents, businesses, and visitors. Please ensure there funding for ferries and ferry communities are a priority in FY 2025 appropriations.
Sincerely,
Counties
Island County
Commissioner Janet St. Clair
Kitsap County
Commissioner Charlotte Garrido
Commissioner Katie Walters
King County
Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda
Pierce County
Council Chair Ryan Mello
San Juan County
Council Chair Jane Fuller
Council Member Christine Minney
Council Member Cindy Wolf
Skagit County
Commissioner Lisa Janicki
Commissioner Peter Browning
Commissioner Ron Wesen
Snohomish County
Councilmember Megan Dunn
Cities
City of Anacortes
Mayor Matt Miller
Councilmember Carolyn Moulton
Councilmember Ryan Walters
City of Bainbridge Island
Mayor Joe Deets
Deputy Mayor Jon Quitslund
Councilmember Ashley Mathews
City of Bremerton
Mayor Greg Wheeler
Councilmember Denise Frey
Councilmember Jane Rebelowski
Councilmember Jeff Coughlin
Councilmember Anna Mockler
Councilmember Michael Goodnow
City of Des Moines
Mayor Traci Buxton
Town of Friday Harbor
Mayor Raymont Jackson
Councilmember Anna Maria de Freitas
Councilmember Richard Geffen
Councilmember Steve Hushebeck
Councilmember Barbara Starr
Councilmember Mason Turnage
City of Port Orchard
Mayor Rob Putaansuu
City of Poulsbo
Mayor Rebecca Erickson
Councilmember Gary McVey
City of Seattle
Councilmember Rob Saka
Ports
Port of Bremerton
Commissioner Cary Bozeman
Commissioner Axel Strakeljahn
Port of Silverdale
Commissioner Caleb Reese