Is there too much riding on Kitsap Transit’s foot ferry proposal? The answer, it seems, is yes. Washington State Ferries turned its back on the county last week, when it dumped passenger-only service to South and Central Kitsap.

In doing so, it put the burden where it simply doesn’t belong — pretty much entirely on the backs of county taxpayers. The proposed foot-ferries would be a resource used by citizens who reside outside of Kitsap County and outside of the state as well. Why then should local residents be forced to heft the heavy tax load?

Citizens, both those who ride the boats daily and those who don’t ride them at all, are asking the same question.

Many local developers have been banking on this service for years but may have simply been putting all their eggs in a basket that will never go to market. If county taxpayers don’t step up to the plate on this one, North Kitsap can pretty much kiss a Kingston foot ferry goodbye for another decade.

Probably longer.

According to the Department of Transportation, gas taxes support state highway programs… “and the Washington State Ferry System, which is deemed a state highway system by constitution.” To alleviate its foot ferry pains, WSF simply cut the service hence making it no longer part of the highway system. If, due to financial reasons, they did the same with the rest of the fleet, would Kitsap County attempt to absorb the costs for the entire state? Of course not.

Thousands of county residents relied on foot ferries until Sept. 19. Thousands of others never stepped onto one of the fast ferries though and are feeling no impact by their demise.

Despite all the problems with Kitsap Transit’s plan, a foot ferry for Kingston would provide a much-easier route to the east side. It would likely increase home values in North Kitsap, allow county residents who work in Seattle vastly-improved access and possibly even help fill up the planned housing developments here in quick time.

At this point though, this puppy’s facing an uphill battle. One that’s not likely to get any easier as Nov. 4 nears.

Opposition movements are starting to form and make themselves known and will continue making waves until the proposal sinks to the bottom of the Sound.

Ah, hindsight. It’s always 20/20. When we wanted tax cuts (I-695) we voted for them. When the state wanted transportation funds (R-51) we told them to take a hike. Why then was Kitsap County so surprised when passenger-only service was pulled? The county and the rest of the state basically voted us into the situation.

Given this tradition, it’s fairly unlikely that taxpayers here will opt to vote themselves out of it by supporting Kitsap Transit’s proposal.

Supporters of the transit tax had better start digging in or be prepared for a disappointing day at the polls. Furthermore, KT may have cut its own throat on this by jumping aboard the foot-ferry concept too soon. Ideally, it should have sought a King County partnership or even one with the state before stepping into the limelight.

Either way, the idea of improving transportation options to the North End is a grand one. Maybe, in terms of taxes being sought county wide, it is too grand. North Kitsap can’t float this one alone and is still a divided community in terms of support.

Right now, the burden is on proponents to convince the taxpayers that the foot ferries are something Kitsap County cannot live without. Right now, that’s just not happening.