b'LEGISLATIVE REPORT:PVA Ferry Executives LEGISLATIVE TestifyBefore CongressED WELCH // PVA LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORT worepresentativesfromPVAvesselMs. Rubstello pointed out that WashingtonvehicularcongestioninthePugetSound companies testifi ed on Examining theState Ferries is the nations largest ferry systemregion. Two other PVA members that off er Role of Ferries in Improving Mobilityand is an integral part of the states highwaypassenger-onlyferryservicesharefacilities at a recent Congressional hearing. Ms. Pattynetwork. It has been in operation for 70 years.with WSF. Many patrons plan their trips and Rubstello,assistantsecretary,WashingtonSheelaborated,Wetransport23.9millionpurchase trips via smartphone apps, regional State Department of Transportation, Ferriescustomers per year on 10 routes served by afareprograms,andothernew-technology Division, and Mr. Seamus Murphy, executivefl of 21 vessels. We operate and maintaintools to allow them to make a more seamlesseet director of San Francisco Water Emergency20 terminals. Ours is the second largest ferrydoor-to-door travel experience.Transportation Authority (WETA) providedsystemintheworldforvehiclescarried, lawmakerswithinformationabouttheirtransportingnearly10.5millionvehiclesinContinuedandexpandedferrysupportis individual operations and about the role of2019. We provide service to both rural andcritical for WSF, providing about 25 percent ferries nationwide. urban areas, and we are a critical lifeline serviceofitscapitalandoperatingbudget.The to our San Juan Islands and Vashon IslandFederal Highway Administrations Ferry Boat TheHouseSubcommitteeonHighwayscommunities,forwhichdrivingaroundisProgram uses a national formula to provide andTransit,chairedbyDelegateEleanornotanoption.WealsooperateapopularcapitalgrantsthatenableWSFtosupport Holmes Norton of the District of Columbia,internationalroutetoVancouverIslandvesselpreservationandterminalfacilities. conductedthehearingonSeptember28,inBritishColumbia.OurEagleHarborTheFederalTransitAdministrations 2021. Ms. Norton observed that this was theMaintenance Facility is the largest state-ownedcompetitiveFerryGrantProgramprovides panels fi rst hearing to focus solely on ferries asshipyard in the United States. funds to preserve WSF vessels. FTA urban a transportation mode. She noted her goal oftransit funding supports ferry operations.providingcommutersmoretransportationWashingtonStateFerries(WSF)projects choices. She advocated shifting traffic fromthat ridership will increase by 30 percent byFederal sources provided 38 percent of the highways to waterways to reduce the nationstheyear2040,lessthantwodecadesfromrecently completed new terminal at Mukilteo; carbon footprint. now.Itwillcontinuetoplayamajorrolethe total project cost was $187 million. WSF inconnectingcommunitiesandrelievingiscurrentlyundertakingitsdowntown SeattleMultimodalTerminalatColman Dock Project. Completion is expected in the year 2023. Federal sources will account for about 52 percent of the total $438 cost. attention to detail DiscussingthefutureneedsofWSF,Ms. Rubstello related that 13 ferry vessels must be replaced over the next 20 years. Additional relief vessels are also essential.The total estimatedcostwillbe$14.6billion,and slightly over half is expected to come from state appropriations and farebox recovery.Governor Inslee has directed that WSF move towardsazeroemissionsfl Therefore,eet. WSFisundertakingaprogramofvessel conversionandnewvesselconstruction to achieve a fl of plug-in hybrid-electriceet vessels. Shore-based charging systems will be essential to reaching this goal.www.beurteaux.comLEGISLATIVE REPORT 26 FOGHORN'