Published January 2004

Give private sector
a chance to run
passenger-only ferries

By Don Brunell
Guest Editorial

On Nov. 4, Kitsap voters overwhelmingly rejected an increase in the sales tax and motor vehicle tax to fund passenger-only ferry service between Seattle and Bremerton. In doing so, this ferry-dependent community sent legislators and the Washington State Ferry system a strong message: “We’re not willing to subsidize passenger-only ferries anymore.”

In fact, the message is so strong that the state sold the Tyee passenger ferry on E-bay, and the other two passenger-only boats are being prepared for the auction block. That being the case, why not give the private sector an opportunity to provide the service?

Argosy and Clipper Navigation, Seattle waterfront tour boat operators, have teamed with Nichols Brothers Boat Builders to form Aqua Express. They want to offer passenger-only service throughout the Puget Sound and believe they can provide the service at a profit — but they will need some help from the Legislature and WSF.

• Aqua Express needs the state ferry system to waive its “10 mile” rule, which protects the state’s monopoly on ferry service. The rule prohibits competitors from operating within 10 miles of an existing WSF route, including docking facilities.
• Legislators will need to repeal the exclusive clause they passed last year giving Kitsap County the sole right to offer passenger-only service inside the 10-mile boundary until 2005.
• Finally, Aqua Express will need the cooperation of ports and public transportation to dock their ferries and provide connecting service.

The new company believes it could successfully operate on routes from Olympia to Everett during rush hour. That would take commuters off our highways during peak periods, free up gas-tax dollars for other projects and give WSF’s parent, the Department of Transportation, more flexibility to reduce land-locked congestion.

Puget Sound is an untapped marine highway. Private-sector passenger-only ferries provide a golden opportunity to provide service to commuters and generate a few dollars for state and local governments — at no risk to the taxpayer. Why not give the private sector a chance to succeed?

Don Brunell is president of the Association of Washington Business, Washington state’s chamber of commerce. Visit AWB on the Web at www.awb.org.

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