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County warns of ferry landing operator change; asks for clearer Washington State Ferries plan
Summary
Advisors said the private operators at a ferry landing gave 30 days notice and the county lacks clear information from Washington State Ferries about reassigning the contract; committee members also discussed a passenger ferry pilot to Anacortes funded by emergency state money and use patterns.
San Juan County advisory members said long-time private operators at a ferry landing have given notice and county officials remain unclear about Washington State Ferries' plan to replace them.
The issue is urgent because the landing contract affects day-to-day access, local businesses and the families who operate ferry-related services.
Committee members reported that Ron and Mary, the current operators, gave 30 days notice and the state set a July 1 effective date for contract termination. "Ron and Mary gave 30 days notice. And then the state talked to them to July 1," a committee member said. Meeting participants said the county has asked Washington State Ferries repeatedly for a public plan and timeline and has received only vague responses.
Members said the landing contract is a state contract, not a county contract, and that county officials are therefore at the state's discretion. They asked for a clear process from the state, citing concerns for continuity of operations and the status of union employees who work at the landing.
Separately, committee members discussed a state-funded passenger ferry pilot between the islands and Anacortes that has been operating under emergency funds. County speakers said the pilot has moved hundreds of passengers and that some trips have supported medical or commuter trips. One official said a recent trip left with about 41 passengers and that the service cuts significant travel time for some commuters.
Staff reported the pilot is subsidized with state emergency funds and that unused grant money must be returned unless the county reapplies and demonstrates ongoing need. Officials also described a reservation system used to collect trip purpose and ridership analytics to support future funding requests.
Committee members asked staff to keep pressing Washington State Ferries for a clear plan and to track operational and financial data from the passenger ferry so the county can make an evidence-based funding request if the pilot is to continue.
