MTAK- POF Council

Passenger-only ferry service has been a key element of cross Puget Sound transportation since 1984. (Read a History of Passenger-Only Ferries) In 2002, the Transportation Commission announced its intention to eliminate passenger only ferry service in 2003 in response to diminished ferry funding caused by taxpayer initiatives and dwindling ridership. The Washington State Legislature approved the elimination of passenger-only service to Bremerton in September 2003, but extended funds for Washington State Ferries’ passenger-only service to Vashon. At the same time, the Legislature approved new legislation granting Kitsap Transit the opportunity to ask the residents of Kitsap County to support a passenger only ferry plan providing service initially from Southworth, Bremerton and Kingston to downtown Seattle. Although voters rejected funding the proposed full passenger ferry program with local tax dollars, people recognized that passenger-only service from all three ports is imperative to the future of Kitsap County, and that private operators alone cannot support the program. Kitsap Transit has negotiated joint development agreements with private operators for passenger-only service from Bremerton and Kingston. POF service from Bremerton is now operated weekdays through this joint development agreement. Although the service from Kingston is temporarily suspended, Kitsap Transit is working with the community and the private operator to re-instate service.

In early 2005 The Washington Legislature received Washington State Ferries’ 10-year Passenger Vision Plan that recommended extension of Seattle-Vashon passenger ferry service to Southworth through a triangle service plan. During this same time, private operators submitted applications to the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) for a certificate to provide private passenger ferry service between Southworth and downtown Seattle.

In the Spring of 2005 the Legislature executed the following POF-related functions:

Extended Vashon passenger-only ferry service funding for one year at a reduced service level;
established a Passenger-Only Task Force to recommend strategies for providing passenger only ferry service reliably and cost effectively; and,
prohibited the WUTC from considering applications for private POF service until July 2006.

The Passenger-Only Task Force began meeting in late August 2005 and is expected to complete its work in January 2006.

MTAK recognizes that reliable, frequent passenger only ferry service is a critical link in the Kitsap County transportation network and a key to enhancing the quality of life and economic well being of Kitsap County residents. To be effective, passenger ferry service must be thoroughly integrated with existing and planned transportation systems within Kitsap County and around the Puget Sound and must be responsive to the needs of all the riders and communities it serves. MTAK’s Passenger Only Ferry Program Council will advocate for a passenger ferry service that addresses all these needs. This Council will focus on:

Substainable POF funding
Employment
Service plans
Customer innovation
Fares and fare collection
Regional integration with other transportation services and local land use plans
Information dissemination and community involvement
Joint development with public and private operators

Board Members:

Alice Tawresey, Chair
Ray Deardorf (DOC)
Joan Dingfield
Scott Rhodes
Ann Sutphin (DOC)
Sonny Woodward


	Passenger-Only Ferry Program Council