Witnesses at the Jan. 14 Senate Transportation Committee hearing described Washington State Ferries as operating in crisis and urged lawmakers to prioritize funding for vessels, shipyards and operations.

Joe Kunstler (Hoh tribe testimony coordinator) and former ferry users urged that the ferry system lacks adequate vessels, that underinvestment in shipyards reduces in‑state shipbuilding capacity and that the system’s shortfalls pose economic and access problems for island and coastal communities. One witness suggested the legislature ask WSF and the Transportation Commission to provide a public analysis of the consequences if the agency cannot enact fare or tariff increases over the next two years.

Speakers said Climate Commitment Act funds should be used to support ferries alongside transit investments, and that protecting funding for public transit is essential for transit-dependent riders. Testimony recommended prioritizing vessel acquisition, shipyard investment and a plan of consequences and mitigation that would be publicly available to inform policy deliberations.

No immediate budget action was taken; testimony was entered into the record for the committee’s consideration.