PORT TOWNSEND — The Port of Port Townsend voted to accept federal grant money to build a passenger ferry between Seattle and Port Townsend over the dissent of one commissioner.
Commissioners Leif Erickson and John Collins, who was attending his last meeting on the board Wednesday, voted in favor of receiving the grant while Commissioner Dave Thompson opposed the action.
While Thompson’s vote was not needed to pass the measure, Collins nevertheless attempted to convince him.
“I think we should address this with the proper skepticism, but for right now, we should allow it to move forward,” Collins said.
“If I were to continue as a commissioner, I would not support anything that was not going to pencil out.”
Unconvinced
Thompson wasn’t convinced.
“I see this as being very narrow,” Thompson said.
“It is primarily aimed at the business corridor and benefits main street businesses, but I don’t see how it benefits the entire community.”
He also cited fuel cost estimates of about $1,000 per round trip.
“I don’t think we have the ridership to support that,” Thompson said.
The grant is for construction of the boat — expected to carry 49 passengers.
It will be operated by Puget Sound Express.
The service is scheduled to begin in August 2013.
$20-$25 per trip
Given fares of $20 to $25 per trip, the service could generate more than $2,000 per day with a full ridership, port officials have said.
Proponents of the idea, including Port Director Larry Crockett and Deputy Director Jim Pivarnik, said the service will be geared toward tourists and the potential ridership exists.
The ferry’s schedule would also be adjusted to accommodate rider numbers, they said.
The next step in the process will take place Jan. 10, when Crockett and Pivarnik meet with U.S. Department of Transportation representatives in Seattle.
After several public meetings, the port is expected to call for bids to build the boat.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.