Gov. Jay Inslee is providing $1.5 million in emergency funding to restore critical ferry transportation throughout the San Juan Islands, he announced during a meeting with county leaders Tuesday, Sept. 17.
The interisland route has been the least reliable in the Washington State Ferries (WSF) system, Inslee said in a Tuesday news release. The challenges, caused by crew shortages, have created life and safety issues for island residents and service providers.
Data shows the interisland route completed 81% of its recent scheduled sailings, compared to 95% for the rest of the WSF system.
“We have been making steady progress on restoring service throughout our ferry system, but that progress has yet to reach these islands,” Inslee said in a statement. “The unique challenges facing the interisland route are simply untenable and create real risks for residents.”
The Department of Commerce’s Emergency Rapid Response program is providing $1 million of the funding, while $500,000 is coming from the Governor’s Emergency Fund.
The funding will allow San Juan County to contract local water taxi providers, charter business and barge services when the ferry is out of service. WSF will also use the funding to increase winter season weekend service.
This short-term funding is available immediately and WSF predicts it will support the supplemental services through next spring. Long-term solutions will depend on legislators supporting new funding during the 2025 legislative session, according to the news release.
