Outside the Lines: Ferry Tales XXIII

Lame and Lamer

The public record of the September 19, 2005 proceeding reads like a bad novel.
I take offense with Steve Flude’s recommendation for full implementation of the new Guemes Island Ferry fare. Over 425 people signed a letter of reconsideration asking for phasing in of the increase. This letter was sent August 30, 2005. This letter, signatures, and testimonials haven’t even been acknowledged by BOCC, or responded to by email, USPS or phone. Other elected officials in the state, including Senator Murray and the Attorney General managed to take time from their schedules to respond. Skagit County Board of Commissioners must have a more hectic schedule than our state officials. Who knew?

The frequent user ticket book cost, in both car and driver and passenger category, more than doubles. Phasing in of these rates is not an unrealistic request. 425 people think so.

Steve cites additional printing costs and lost revenue as two reasons. Has he read the budget for the Guemes Ferry? The additional cost incurred, for printing, is just a fraction of the salary for the 4th crew person. The ferry service has been disrupted 28% of operating time in the past 14 months. How much was that in lost revenue? Sorry Steve but no cigar.

Mr.Flude doesn’t give the ferry crew much credit, saying there would be significant training issues to contend with. He also states that without a computerized cashiering system the ferry crew’s "mental math" abilities would be compromised to the point of confusion. Too many tickets would create pandemonium at the dock, overwhelm the purser on duty, and most likely disrupt the sailing schedule. I would take my lawn chair down to the ferry terminal and pay the price of a movie ticket to watch this pandemonium.

I find his remarks about the formation of a ferry ticket “black market” insulting. Theory or not, do we know anyone on Guemes that would buy hundreds of ticket books at the current price? If someone did, wouldn’t that clearly be a red flag to the purser? These ticket books are non-transferable. What about the number stamped on the ticket book? Couldn’t that be easily traced? Another lame excuse.

Chairman of the BOCC Don Munks believes this discussion should continue. A decision has not yet been made on the phasing in process. Let’s hope Munks finds someone other than Steve Flude to discuss this issue. Perhaps one of the 400 plus people who signed the letter, or one of the other state officials that managed to respond to the request for consideration, might have a better perspective.

- MJ Andrak

[10.14.5]

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