PSRC delivered a letter supported by over 50 local elected leaders from across the Puget Sound to Governor Ferguson and the chairs and ranking members of the Senate and House Transportation Committees of the Washington State Legislature supporting robust investments in Washington State Ferries to urgently restore full ferry system service.
The letter expresses appreciation for prioritizing and investing in the ferry system by the Legislature and urges continued funding for ferry workforce, vessel construction and maintenance and continued state investment in passenger only ferry routes. The signers also thank Governor Ferguson for his commitment to the ferry system and his support of funding for recruitment and retention of ferry crew.
View Fund Our Ferries Letter (PDF)
Delivered on March 11, 2025
Dear Governor Ferguson, Chair Liias, Chair Fey, Ranking Member King and Ranking Member Barkis:
We are local elected officials from ferry communities across Puget Sound coming together to call upon state lawmakers to make robust investments in Washington State Ferries (WSF) to restore full ferry system service.
We thank state legislators for prioritizing and investing in the ferry system to build and maintain vessels and improve reliability in the ferry workforce. We also thank Governor Ferguson for his commitment to the ferry system and including funding to increase recruitment and retention of ferry crew. We urge lawmakers to continue prioritizing ferry investments to address the immediate needs our communities are facing due to reduced 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.
We recommend the following priorities to build and preserve vessels, ensure full staffing and provide short-term solutions to address service gaps.
Vessel Construction, Preservation, and Electrification
We must continue on the path to build five new hybrid-electric ferries and ensure resources are available to build one additional hybrid-electric ferry per year, if the goal of the 26-vessel fleet called for in WSF’s 2040 Long Range Plan is to be met. Adequate funding for preservation and maintenance of aging vessels must also be a budget priority to ensure existing vessels continue to operate to avoid further service interruptions.
Workforce Development
Retaining existing ferry crew, recruiting new staff and addressing upcoming retirements are vital to restoring and enhancing ferry service. We support the following workforce development initiatives:
- Maintaining investments to provide training opportunities for existing crew, add dispatch and vessel crew staff, and support workforce development programs.
- Governor Ferguson’s priority of crew recruitment and retention.
Actions to Address Immediate Community Needs
Supplementing WSF service with state-funded local options and exploring creative solutions is necessary while ferry communities across the state wait for the ferry fleet to be fully restored. We recommend the state:
- Provide funding to maintain passenger-only ferry service in Kitsap County, King County and the San Juan Islands to bridge the gap to full service on WSF.
- Increase funding by $900,000 to $2 million for traffic control at Seattle, Fauntleroy, Kingston, Edmonds, Mukilteo and Bainbridge Island, allowing each terminal to get coverage during peak ferry travel times.
Action must be taken to preserve our marine highway system for our residents, businesses and visitors. Please ensure ferries and ferry communities are a priority in the Transportation Budget.
Sincerely,
Counties
Island
Commissioner Jill Johnson
Commissioner Janet St. Clair
Jefferson
Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette
King
Councilmember Jorge Barón
Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda
Kitsap
Commissioner Christine Rolfes
Commissioner Oran Root
Commissioner Katie Walters
San Juan
Vice Chair Jane Fuller
Councilmember Kari McVeigh
Snohomish
Councilmember Megan Dunn
Cities
Anacortes
Councilmember Carolyn Moulton
Councilmember Ryan Walters
Arlington
Mayor Don Vanney
Bainbridge Island
Mayor Ashley Mathews
Deputy Mayor Jon Quitslund
Councilmember Joe Deets
Councilmember Leslie Schneider
Black Diamond
Councilmember Tamie Deady
Bremerton
Mayor Greg Wheeler
Councilmember Jeff Coughlin
Councilmember Jane Rebelowski
Des Moines
Mayor Traci Buxton
Deputy Mayor Harry Steinmetz
Edmonds
Mayor Mike Rosen
The Edmonds City Council
Everett
Councilmember Paula Rhyne
Friday Harbor
Councilmember Steve Hushebeck
Gig Harbor
Councilmember Jeni Woock
Lynnwood
Councilmember Almaderica Escamilla
Mountlake Terrace
Mayor Pro Tem Bryan Wahl
Normandy Park
Deputy Mayor Sue-Ann Hohimer
Pacific
Councilmember Ray Helms
Port Orchard
Mayor Rob Putaansuu
Port Townsend
Deputy Mayor Amy Howard
Poulsbo
Mayor Becky Erickson
Deputy Mayor Ed Stern
Councilmember Gary McVey
Councilmember Doug Taber
Renton
Councilmember James Alberson
Seattle
Councilmember Robert Kettle
Councilmember Rob Saka
Shoreline
Mayor Chris Roberts
Ports
Port of Bremerton
Commissioner Cary Bozeman
Commissioner Axel Strakeljahn
Port of Everett
Commissioner Glen Bachman
Commissioner David Simpson
Commissioner Tom Stiger
Port of Kingston
Commissioner Stephen Heacock