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What Will Extended Ferry Hours Cost Us?

After more than doubling frequent users fares, the Skagit County Commissioners are likely to soon make their other big move on Guemes Island - extending the weekday ferry hours. Commissioner Ted Anderson has already declared his intention to do so, and Commissioner Don Munks is following Ted's lead with his "family friendly ferry hours" public talking points.

There is no free ride. Who will pay the costs of extending the weeknight operating hours of the Guemes Island ferry? Who will pay the rising fares? Who will pay the consequences to the character of Guemes Island?

Neither Public Works nor the Commissioners have told us what schedule extension might add to fares. Some people assume the recent doubling of fares is sufficient. It is not. Public Works Engineer Steve Flude has said that even with increased fares, the county wouldn't come close to covering the operations and maintenance costs of the ferry. Public Works Director Chal Martin projects annual shortfalls averaging $1 million each year for the next 15 years*.

Others think that whatever overtime the crew might receive now will cover the extended service costs. It will not. Consider that the County will need to add several full time positions (with benefits) in place of the current part time crew (without benefits) - more crew hours at a much higher cost. Add in the increased maintenance and fuel costs incurred by running the vessel those extra hours each day. With the projected staggering ferry deficit, no one knows how much higher fares will go to pay for it all.

Commissioner Ted Anderson has said that he thought the ferry schedule should be extended so that folks could move here who can't now because of the schedule limitation. No one knows how many folks would move here as a result of the extended hours. No one knows what the increased demand on ferry service will be. No one knows how long the lines will become.

The only fresh water on Guemes Island falls from the sky and collects underground, primarily through forested areas. More people means more demand on a limited supply. More people also often means fewer trees which further reduces supply. No one knows what impact more people will have on limited Guemes Island resources.**

What will extended ferry hours cost us? No one knows! Let's find out first.

*From Chal Martin's graph of Projected Expenses vs. Revenue presented at the public hearing on fares in July.

**See The Anderson Island Effect

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