POULSBO — Kitsap Transit executive director Richard Hayes came to Little Norway looking for additional support for plans to float passenger-only ferry service in Kitsap County Wednesday night.
He left town with a formal resolution supporting the 3/10ths of 1 percent local sales and use tax from the Poulsbo City Council as its members approved the measure with a 6-1 vote.
“One of the positive outcomes will be stable, steady growth for local businesses from having better regional connections,” Hayes told the council.
The rebirth of the passenger-only service will have an immediate impact on the environment as it is expected to save 102,200 gallons of fuel annually and significantly reduce vehicle emissions, he said.
Also, as many as 60 miles of new highway lanes could be averted if the plans are successful, he said.
Fares will be will be in the $7-$9 range and 20 to 30 percent of the seats on each boat will be reserved for business travelers at a higher rate, he said. Business travelers are those who regularly use the ferry to commute to their jobs in places such as Seattle.
“It is the return of the Mosquito Fleet,” he said, referring to the system of small vessels used to transport people and goods across the Puget Sound in the early 1900s.
Even though the return of passenger-only service from Kingston to Seattle is expected to begin by August, Poulsbo is part of the long-range plan, he said.
“We are going to look at Poulsbo and both sites in Suquamish,” Hayes said. It will be at least seven years before any formal plans are announced for those locations.
Before asking the council to make its decision on the resolution, Mayor Kathryn Quade offered citizens the opportunity to comment on the issue.
“It’s one of those things that I have strong opinions on both sides,” Poulsbo resident David Wells said.
The service is something the county definitely needs, but there are lots of questions as well as answers, he said.
“We have to figure how to go from Point A to Point B, and we might have to pay for it,” Wells said.
Noll Road Association president Becky Erickson also voiced her support for the proposal, but offered one caveat.
“We need passenger-only ferry service to give us a chance to relieve the (State Route) 305 situation,” Erickson said. “I am asking that Mr. Hayes and Kitsap Transit speed up the time to get something in our area.”
A passenger-only ferry terminal could be located in Suquamish or Poulsbo, but until a feasibility study is completed to determine the best location, those plans can’t move ahead, Erickson said.
After listening to both Hayes and residents who offered their views on the matter, Councilman Mike Regis quickly moved to approve the resolution supporting the passenger-only ferry service sales tax increase.
“I think it’s good for Poulsbo,” Councilman Dale Rudolph said as he cast his vote in favor of the resolution. “People are coming through Poulsbo to get to Bainbridge Island, and Kingston seems to want it.”
In the end, Councilman Jeff McGinty said he still had enough concerns that would not allow him to support the resolution.
The service could lead to an escalation of property values as people with high-paying jobs in Seattle look to find more affordable housing with quick access to work, McGinty said.
“The quickest way they can get to work is where they want to live,” McGinty said.
