Raise your voice: Ferries keep us moving | Letter to the editor

Posted

With reference to the Leader’s online article (Oct. 7), “Potential loss of Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry route prompts quick reaction from Jefferson County leaders,” complete closure of this service would be catastrophic for the the towns (both termini) and all of the North Olympic Peninsula. 

It’s a crossing that has operated throughout the lifetime of most area residents — although not always year-round prior to 1970, when the population was less than half what it is today.

The rationale for complete closure would be to “save $13 million” for Washington State Ferries —about 0.6 percent of WSF’s total annual operating budget. A truly token “savings” that would cost the adjacent communities tens of millions in lost revenue to stores, the arts, overnight accommodations, services, everyday supplies — economic strangulation, essentially. Almost like taking the “Port” out of “Port Townsend.” Shall we just call it “Townsend”?

We can bear our share of pain if the ferry system must be reduced, but removing entire service areas means it is no longer a “system.” Highway 20, which has the distinction of being the longest numbered highway in Washington, would be dismembered. Ferries are marine highways!

Prepare to be very activist about this in the coming months: contacting all our legislators, the governor, Department of Transportation, and especially, Washington State Ferries, to make the case that this is an absolutely essential link in Washington’s circulatory system.

Port Townsend-Coupeville has actually been one of the top ferry routes by occupancy (percent of capacity utilized) and even grew in ridership while other routes declined prior to 2020’s predicaments.

We should be adding, not talking about subtracting, ferry service! Fast passenger-only services to Seattle and Victoria make great sense in the 21st Century — just like in the late 19th Century. Make PT a stop for the Victoria Clipper, and a ferry hub with an optional transfer to Friday Harbor.

Forest Shomer
PORT TOWNSEND