Session Date: August 16, 2005
Annual Meeting Session Summary: Tour of Washington State Ferry System
By John Rothlin
Public Information Officer, Washington House Republican Caucus
This summary is provided for information purposes only. NCSL does not endorse any views it contains.
SEATTLE - Running the nation's largest ferry system presents unique challenges for operators of Washington State Ferries (WSF). But the system's success has spawned lessons for all states charged with moving commuters, tourists and commercial traffic across bodies of water. About two dozen legislators from around the country heard these lessons during a tour of the state's ferry system on Tuesday during the National Conference of State Legislatures' 2005 Annual Meeting.
Dealing with rising fuel prices, the demands of increased security in a post 9-11 world, and meeting the needs of its "customers" in a cost-effective manner are among the primary challenges WSF faces, according to WSF Executive Director Mike Anderson.
"We want to make sure the travel experience is as good as it can possibly be," Anderson said. "We need to operate good assets on the water that are safe and secure. And we need to do it at a fair price, especially for commuters. Those folks need a ride to work."
Washington ferries carry approximately 24 million passengers a year with a fleet of 28 vessels. About half the system's riders are commuters, the rest being tourists and commercial traffic. Anderson says he expects vehicle loadings to increase by 24 percent and total ridership to increase by 64 percent over the next 25 years. Maintaining service to meet demand is going to be a challenge for system operators and legislators who provide funding.
The system's fare-box recovery is about 78 percent, but is expected to drop as fuel prices have increased operating costs. The Washington ferries burn 19 million gallons of fuel a year. Every penny increase in fuel costs adds $200,000 in annual cost to the system.
Security has become another significant cost-driver for the ferry system. Ferries are considered the number one maritime security risk in the nation. Washington, with its 10 routes that include one international route to Canada, spends $6.5 million a year for security.
"The challenge for legislators is how do they respond to the cost and staffing demands of unfunded federal mandates," said Safety Systems Manager Scott Davis.
Security is a collaborative effort between the Washington State Patrol, local law enforcement, and the U.S. Coast Guard. The state dedicates 52 troopers to the ferry system -- those are resources that detract from the state patrol's highway enforcement responsibilities.
Davis said the WSF has been successful in securing 16 million in grants for security measures. But the one-time grants pay primarily for capital upgrades and leave the cost of security operations to the state.
NCSL is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the states, commonwealths and territories. It provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues and is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of the states in the American federal system.
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