The Sunday Seattle Times Opinion page headline “Ferry feud gets us nowhere” detailed funding problems for those using ferries for public transit. Kitsap County residents had approved a sales tax increase to fund the service, the question being whether to do so with car-carrying ferries or passenger-only vessels.
The Kitsap County car-ferry-versus-passenger-only arguments are similar to the Sound Transit service area train-versus-bus service decision. New ferries won’t be available until 2030. Passenger-only vessels far sooner. Rail extensions beyond Federal Way and Lynnwood face even longer delays; buses already serve the areas. The passenger-only 118-rider capacity is similar to a 110-capacity bus.
Ferries have excess capacity beyond their weekend-and-commuter runs like light-rail-train capacity during off-peak operation. Wake restrictions limiting speeds to “slowest possible in order to maintain steerage and headway”, like the noise restrictions limiting light rail train speeds.
The ferry concern, “Each state route has its own challenges, but suffers from an aging fleet prone to breakdowns”, is like Sound Transit problems with 1 and 2 Line light rail train reliability.
One difference is passenger-only boat advocates are willing to fund the service while Sound Transits 2026 adopted budget has riders paying only 11.6% in farebox recovery of light rail costs. However the biggest difference is the legislature is funding a $750,000 study to determine how best to provide the service.
The legislature needs to fund or require Sound Transit to fund a similar light rail train versus bus comparison before they proceed with their light rail extensions.
No comments:
Post a Comment