The State Legislature is negotiating the final transportation budget right now before the legislative session ends on March 7. There are several provisions that will be key to improving service as we await restoration of service in the years to come.

As budget negotiations tighten, our legislators need our help in demonstrating how critical fully funding these provisions are to our ferry dependent communities.

Please contact legislative leadership today and tell them:

• Thank you for including $3.1 million for additional King County Water Taxi Service between Vashon and Seattle, and for including funding for Kitsap County water taxi.
• Thank you for dedicating significant funding to recruit, hire and train more crew to operate our ferries and ensure more consistent service.
• Please make sure that $169,000 in funding to hire an additional service planner is included in the final budget. The current triangle route two-boat schedule is flawed and does not serve the needs of Vashon or Kitsap passengers. We need a dedicated service planner to update our schedule so that we can count on more efficient and reliable service. 

State Senator Joe Nguyen, 34th district: joe.nguyen@leg.wa.gov / (360) 786-7667

State Representative Joe Fitzgibbon, 34th district: joe.fitzgibbon@leg.wa.gov / (360) 786-7952

State Representative Emily Alvarado, 34th district: emily.alvarado@leg.wa.gov / (360) 786-7978

State Senator Marko Liias, Chair, Senate Transportation Committee: Marko.Liias@leg.wa.gov / 360.786.764

State Rep. Jake Fey, Chair, House Transportation Committee: Jake.Fey@leg.wa.gov / 360-786-7974

There are many reasons to be optimistic about improved funding and strategies to address our current ferry crisis coming out of this legislative session. Citizen action has been critical to these outcomes. Thank you for taking action to help our community!