Dear Secretary Buttigieg,

As residents of Vashon Island in the Puget Sound just outside of Seattle, we are compelled to bring to your attention the dire state of our vital Washington State ferry system. 

The current situation has escalated to a critical point where our community's well-being is hanging in the balance.

The failures within the ferry system have left our island residents stranded and isolated, unable to access essential services. People are missing crucial healthcare appointments, struggling to reach their workplaces, get their children to school on and off island and even facing challenges in traveling to airports for urgent matters. 

The repercussions are far-reaching, affecting not just individuals but the entire community's livelihood.

Routes are being abruptly canceled, leaving commuters in limbo and disrupting the flow of daily life. The ferries themselves are showing signs of wear and tear, breaking down at alarming rates due to the lack of maintenance and resources. The scarcity of available ferries exacerbates the situation, compounding the delays and hardships experienced by residents.

Furthermore, the absence of contracts to initiate the construction of new ferries adds to the growing anxiety among the populace. Without immediate action, the future looks bleak, with the prospect of worsening conditions and increased suffering looming over us. Our water highways, once lifelines for connectivity, are now fractured and unreliable.

Per this article: The Alaska Marine will receive more than $286 million.

That figure, which includes funding for new ferry terminals and ships, is more than three times the size of the ferry system’s annual budget.

For the first time, the federal government is subsidizing ferry operations in Alaska. That’s a major policy change: While the federal government underwrites most of the cost of hard-surface roads and can underwrite the cost of new ferry boats, Alaska has borne the cost of operating them. 

Can't you help us in Washington too?

Secretary Buttigieg, we implore you to recognize the urgency of this matter and to allocate the necessary resources and support to revitalize the Washington State ferry system. 

The residents of Vashon Island and the Puget Sound cannot endure prolonged neglect and inefficiency in our crucial transportation infrastructure. We seek your help in restoring the functionality and reliability of the ferry system to ensure the well-being and prosperity of our community.

Thank you for your attention to this pressing issue. We look to you for assistance in securing a brighter future for Vashon Island and its residents.

Sincerely,

The residents of Vashon Island, WA