Ferry tax shortchanges Kent

By now you’re probably aware of the heated debate over the proposed expansion of the King County passenger-only ferry system. Shortly after I called on the county to put the ferry system on hold and instead focus on stabilizing the finances of the Metro bus system, County Council members, who also happen to serve on the Ferry District Board, rushed to its defense.

I don’t have a philosophical opposition to foot ferries. They are an important part of this region’s heritage and romantic image. I do, however, question the wisdom and fairness of launching a new high-cost county bureaucracy to operate a ferry system at the same time the region’s bus system is facing severe fiscal strain and service cutbacks.

South county residents will pay almost $5 million in property tax to the county Ferry District in 2009 as your bus service is reduced. This scrambling of common sense and fiscal priorities is simply indefensible.

Last fall, a Puget Sound Regional Council study estimated the per trip cost of the county’s $220 million foot ferry fleet at somewhere between $24 and $325 per rider. But even those staggering figures didn’t stop the county from, as a recent news column said, “Forging full steam ahead on its quixotic quest of reviving the long-dead Mosquito Fleet.”

I believe the county should immediately put the passenger-only ferry system on hold and stop the hiring of the $135,000 ferry district manager and consultants. The resultant $20 million in savings could be used to stabilize Metro’s troubled finances and improve bus service for all county residents. Once that is accomplished, there needs to be a full and honest evaluation of the cost effectiveness and performance of all proposed ferry routes against alternative bus services before committing limited resources to this venture.

State Sen. Fred Jarrett currently represents the 41st Legislative District. He is a candidate for King County Executive.