| After nearly eight years in the design and procurement process and many millions of dollars expended, Kitsap/Seattle residents finally had a modern, high-speed, passenger-only ferry (POF) system in operation. However, it seemed that this system was not to be. After only one year of operation, the high- speed ferries fell victim to legislative cuts and claims of environmentally offensive characteristics.
Art Anderson Associates has been providing naval architecture and engineering services to Washington State Ferries and the DOT for more than 20 years and had been keeping close tabs on the issues surrounding cross-sound passenger-only ferry service. When Mary Margaret Haugen, Chair of the Washington State Senate Transportation Committee, stated that the State would not be involved in Passenger Only Ferry service after June 30, 2000, Art Anderson Associates began assisting local jurisdictions and private ferry operators as they geared up for the challenge of continuing cross-sound ferry service.
Faced with the demise of this “extended leg” of Kitsap Transit’s routes, and in keeping with its goal of providing reliable transportation to those not choosing to use an automobile, Kitsap Transit began making plans to provide cross-sound passenger only ferry service that would complement whatever service the State could commit to.
A Passenger Only Ferry Development Plan was commissioned by Kitsap Transit to consider the viability of such a concept. At the same time, a Legislative Ferry Task Force was established to try to determine the State’s future ability to fund and operate the POF service.
Participating in the local planning were Kitsap Transit, Art Anderson Associates, John J. McMullen Associates, Clipper Navigation, Mosquito Fleet, and Washington State Ferries.
With expertise in transit, marine transportation, route analysis, terminal requirements, operations and maintenance, the collaborative efforts of the participants resulted in a passenger ferry development plan and an overall appreciation for the power of new ideas. During the planning process ideas were brought to the table suggesting — the concept of regional governance by developing a regional transit authority similar to King and Pierce County’s Sound Transit — opportunities for multiple funding sources from federal, state, regional, county, and city agencies — and the advantages of mixing public and private resources such as transit and port authorities with private contractors and developers.
The Legislative Ferry Task Force found.merit with certain aspects of Kitsap Transit’s plan regarding operation and maintenance options, and Kitsap Transit received a Peninsula Chapter, American Planning Association Group award for the Passenger Ferry Development Plan that Art Anderson Associates and John J. McMullen Associates prepared in collaboration with them.
While the State has decided to hold onto the POF system for now, it has yet to determine the future of the POF system under the DOT and WSF. As evidenced by our participation in the recent ferry rally in Olympia, Art Anderson Associates will continue in its efforts to support the continuation of passenger-only ferry service in Puget Sound, and heed the cry for “One Less Car” by supporting carpools and providing transit passes for employees.
Eric Anderson, President
Art Anderson Associates
Bremerton. |
