KINGSTON — Questions have been asked and people have been wondering how a certain transportation proposal in the upcoming November election could change the future of Kitsap County.

Residents now have a chance to learn what the “Kitsap Passenger-Only Ferry” talk is all about.

Six open houses regarding the proposed passenger-only ferry plan from Kitsap Transit are being held throughout the county through Oct. 2. A full schedule of meetings can be found at www.kitsaptransit.org. The next session will be from 4.-7 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club.

The event is sponsored by Kitsap Transit, The Sun Newspaper, Marine Transportation Association of Kitsap (MTAK) and the League of Women Voters.

Since the Washington State Ferry system announced it would discontinue its foot-ferry service as of Sept. 19, Kitsap Transit has proposed to establish a passenger-only ferry service from Kingston, Bremerton and Southworth to Seattle.

The plan includes purchasing a fleet of 14 149-passenger boats that would depart every 15-20 minutes during rush hour and every hour during mid-day, evenings and weekends. But to put this plan into action, voters are being asked to pass an increase of 3/10 of a 1 percent sales tax and 3/10 of a 1 percent motor vehicle excise tax to fund the proposal. The MVET only applies to auto license renewals and not the purchase of a vehicle.

Alice Tawresey, chairperson for the passenger-only ferry program council of MTAK, said she hopes the seminars will help educate county residents before they go to the voting booths this November.

If the ballot measure passes, Tawresey said the council will become a citizens committee for advising changes to the system when needed, such as fares or scheduling.

During the Kingston open house, KCYC will be filled with story boards providing information regarding various aspects of the plan, Tawresey said.

Issues will include boat design, funding, ferry schedules, environmental impacts, fuel consumption and connections with park-and-ride lots.

There will also be experts at each story board to explain the issues at hand, Tawresey said, adding that take home materials for citizens will be offered as well.

While the event is purely informational, there will be a table with literature from groups that support or object the plan as well, she added. Tawresey said she hopes these seminars do their job — providing objective information.

“I’m hoping through these seminars, people will become informed about the actual proposal,” she said.By TIFFANY ROYAL

Staff Writer

KINGSTON — Questions have been asked and people have been wondering how a certain transportation proposal in the upcoming November election could change the future of Kitsap County.

Residents now have a chance to learn what the “Kitsap Passenger-Only Ferry” talk is all about.

Six open houses regarding the proposed passenger-only ferry plan from Kitsap Transit are being held throughout the county through Oct. 2. A full schedule of meetings can be found at www.kitsaptransit.org. The next session will be from 4.-7 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Kingston Cove Yacht Club.

The event is sponsored by Kitsap Transit, The Sun Newspaper, Marine Transportation Association of Kitsap (MTAK) and the League of Women Voters.

Since the Washington State Ferry system announced it would discontinue its foot-ferry service as of Sept. 19, Kitsap Transit has proposed to establish a passenger-only ferry service from Kingston, Bremerton and Southworth to Seattle.

The plan includes purchasing a fleet of 14 149-passenger boats that would depart every 15-20 minutes during rush hour and every hour during mid-day, evenings and weekends. But to put this plan into action, voters are being asked to pass an increase of 3/10 of a 1 percent sales tax and 3/10 of a 1 percent motor vehicle excise tax to fund the proposal. The MVET only applies to auto license renewals and not the purchase of a vehicle.

Alice Tawresey, chairperson for the passenger-only ferry program council of MTAK, said she hopes the seminars will help educate county residents before they go to the voting booths this November.

If the ballot measure passes, Tawresey said the council will become a citizens committee for advising changes to the system when needed, such as fares or scheduling.

During the Kingston open house, KCYC will be filled with story boards providing information regarding various aspects of the plan, Tawresey said.

Issues will include boat design, funding, ferry schedules, environmental impacts, fuel consumption and connections with park-and-ride lots.

There will also be experts at each story board to explain the issues at hand, Tawresey said, adding that take home materials for citizens will be offered as well.

While the event is purely informational, there will be a table with literature from groups that support or object the plan as well, she added. Tawresey said she hopes these seminars do their job — providing objective information.

“I’m hoping through these seminars, people will become informed about the actual proposal,” she said.