Save Our Ferry Organizing Event
12/30/2008
The international ferry run between Anacortes and Sidney, BC has been in existence for many years. This key transportation route provides a convenient and vital linkage between Vancouver island and Washington state. In a recently published study by E. D. Hovee and Company, LLC, the analysis indicated that the following economic and fiscal benefits can be attributed to the international run:
? As of 2006, approximately 131,600 passengers rode the Anacortes to Sidney, BC ferry. Excluding the 17% of riders within the inter-islands, fully 83% (109,000 net passengers) traveled the full distance.
? Approximately 1,470 jobs with over $30 million in annual payroll and nearly $126 million in annual spending are directly and indirectly associated with this ferry service within the Northern Puget Sound region (Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties.)
? The State of Washington receives $4.6 million a year in taxes related to the ferry run. Local jurisdictions collect $1.3 million in tax receipts annually. This equates to approximately $45 per rider.
In addition to the fiscal implications, the ferry run over the years has had many cultural benefits, as well. The sister city relationship maintained with Sidney has been fostered by the transportation linkage. As we approach an historic Olympic Games in 2010, the cultural connection with our neighbors is even more important.
The Governor, in her 2009-2011 biennium budget, has proposed eliminating the international ferry run. To prevent this from happening, it is important that we educate our legislators on the importance—both commercial and cultural--of this marine highway to Anacortes and to the region as a whole.
The kick-off to an effort to save the ferry run will be on January 7 at 6:00 p.m. at city hall. The purpose of the meeting is to organize a concerted program to contact legislators and provide data showing the value of the ferry run to our community.
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