By: Editorial Board
San Juan Journal
April 9, 2008
Friday Harbor and San Juan Island are on the threshold of something big: One, an opportunity for islanders to study and work on the mainland and live on the island, while leaving their vehicles here.
Two, an opportunity for visitors to come here and leave their vehicles on the mainland.
The Port of Friday Harbor, the Port of Bellingham and the Whatcom Council of Governments are studying the feasibility of regularly-scheduled, year-round passenger-only ferry service between Friday Harbor and Bellingham.
The study follows in the wake of a test run in December 2005 to March 2006. The passenger-only ferry operated only Monday through Friday. On weekdays during the slowest period of the year, there were 1,016 riders in December, 854 in January, 955 in February, and 992 in March.
The Port of Friday Harbor is contributing $5,000 to the cost of the study; Bellingham and Whatcom are each contributing $10,000. The San Juan County Economic Development Council is assisting in the study. Port Commissioner Greg Hertel has been appointed the port’s representative to the North Sound Connecting Communities Project, a group of eight counties that is trying to coordinate and promote alternative transportation in the region.
The group believes passenger-only ferry service will relieve traffic congestion on our roads and relieve dependence on our burdened state ferry system.
The cost of providing a Bellingham-Friday Harbor service is to be determined. Passengers will need to be assured of seamless connections to other parts of the region’s transportation system. And in Friday Harbor, parking is going to be a big issue; the Friday Harbor Port District is considering building a second level on its upper parking lot.
The idea of passenger-only ferry service is going to become more attractive as gasoline prices continue to climb, Washington State Ferries service becomes more precarious, and our economy more fragile.
Passenger-only ferry service would make more study and work opportunities available for islanders. Passenger-only ferry service would also make visiting Friday Harbor much easier for Whatcom County residents, which would in turn give our local economy a shot in the arm. (Imagine: New visitors without the cars.)
We hope islanders will become involved in the dialogue. Stay tuned.
