Legislators make case for adding another ferry to shopping list
OLYMPIA — Kitsap lawmakers are pushing to keep the ferry assembly line churning.
Most local representatives signed letters urging House and Senate transportation committee chairs to include funding for a fifth 144-car vessel in the 2017-19 budget. However, when the document was approved April 21, it denied money for another Olympic-class boat. It did include a proviso directing Washington State Ferries to submit a cost estimate by June 30, including construction, operations and potential savings from replacing an existing vessel.
A legislative ferry caucus, which believes that five 144-car vessels would address the system's immediate fleet replacement needs, met with WSF officials at mid-session, said Sen. Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island.
"We talked about whether ferries believed this boat was the most cost-effective and how we could be most effective in helping to advocate for it," she said.
Read more: http://www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/local/2017/05/03/legislators-make-case-adding-another-ferry-shopping-list/101204572/
