2474-S.E AMS HAUG NEIL 002

ESHB 2474 - S AMD 868 TO S AMD (S-5265.1)

By Senators Spanel, Horn and Haugen

ADOPTED 3/11/04

On page 50, after line 25, insert the following,

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 506. A new section is added to 2003 c 360 (uncodified) to read as follows:

Washington state ferries are more than a symbol of the state's natural beauty and economic vitality. They also are a critical component of our state's transportation system, serving as an extension of our land-based highways and transit systems, connecting Washington's people, jobs, and communities.

The investments made in the 2003 transportation funding package provide the foundation for a marine transportation system that coordinates Washington's cross-Sound marine transportation and our land-based transportation alternatives to create a fully integrated marine/land multimodal transportation system. Achieving this will require the development of a long-range vision and supporting strategy that will provide the policy guidance to define and maximize efficient delivery of quality marine transportation service to the traveling public.

(1) To accomplish this, the Washington state department of transportation shall develop a vision statement and 10-year strategy for the future development of Washington's multimodal water-based transportation system.

(a) This strategy shall recommend the most appropriate means of moving foot passengers across central Puget Sound, using Washington state ferries, alternative operators, or a combination of both, in the immediate future and over the longer term:

(i) Giving priority to those routes where passenger service likely will be provided at least for the near term on passenger-only vessels, such as Vashon-Seattle, Kingston-Seattle, Southworth-Seattle, and Clinton-Seattle. Consideration shall be given to existing public- private partnership opportunities;

(ii) Considering how service patterns will best fit in the near and long term with development goals and opportunities of Colman Dock as a major hub for integrating water transportation with other transportation modes in downtown Seattle;

(iii) Evaluating how operating economies and reasonable fare box recoveries can be established by scheduling A.M. and P.M. services to match commuter demand and to fit within existing collective bargaining agreements as interpreted and applied to facilitate "split shift" transit-like operations; and

(iv) Providing a vessel plan that most efficiently uses existing state ferry assets and provides for their likely repair and rehabilitation needs, while preserving flexibility to structure services around vessel availability that could rely on purchase or lease of additional vessels, as may suitably be required.

The strategy shall also consider the availability of partnering in operations, vessel deployment, or funding arrangements with other public transportation entities and with the private sector. The study shall also recommend the most effective use of federal funding opportunities for the overall support of integrated water transportation services on the central Puget Sound.

(b) Other components of the strategy shall include but not be limited to:

(i) A long-term plan for the ferry system's existing terminals, considering the revenue generation opportunities and potential for partnering with the private sector where appropriate. This should include a plan for generating other revenues as identified in the 2003 5-5-5 plan; and

(ii) A more equitable fare structure for the San Juan Islands, particularly for island residents.

(2) The department shall consult with key public and private sector stakeholders including business, labor, environmental community representatives, local governments, and transit agencies as part of the development of the vision statement and supporting strategy.

The long-range strategy should also recommend a short-range implementation plan for the 2005-07 biennium. The department shall provide its recommendations to the transportation committees of the legislature by December 15, 2004."

Renumber the sections consecutively and correct any internal references accordingly.

--- END ---

EFFECT: WSDOT must develop a vision statement and 10-year strategy for WSF.