| Outside the Lines: Ferry Tales XXXXVII About Face The Board of County Commissioners, Guemes Island Ferry Committee, and Public Works agreed upon a Summer Surcharge and, after a public hearing April 8, presented it in resolution form for signing at a recent BOCC meeting. The BOCC did not sign the proposed resolution at that time. Instead, they instructed Public Works to develop an alternate fare structure, eliminating many frequent user passes and coupon books and raising fares for seniors. This was announced April 11. Citizens responded swiftly and loudly (and predictably). After what must have been many hurried conversations in the back halls, the Commissioners directed Public Works to present a version similar to the one originally proposed on April 8. Is anyone else out there as confused as I am about this process and the fare structure for the Guemes Ferry? I don’t qualify yet for the senior discount and, quite frankly, as confusing as the new senior discount fare is, I hope they have it figured out by the time I do qualify. I know the senior fares will be less than regular fares. How much less is still unknown. Annual senior passes must be purchased in Mt. Vernon. Ticket books must be purchased at the Anacortes Ferry terminal. Passes are available only after the 16th of any given month. The 10 and 20 trip vehicle and driver coupon books for seniors and disabled will not be available until May 16th. A summer surcharge will be in place May 20th. The ferry will be out of service from May 5th through May 16th. If you hold your mouth a certain way, it may make sense. It is amazing the crew itself has any idea of what is going on, They’ve been inundated with questions. Pity the purser who is asked time and time again “how much”. They have been quite gracious, in spite of the fact that like Guemes Ferry passengers, they were some of the last to know the answers. Communication between the BOCC and Public Works, between Public Works and the GIFC, and between the GIFC and Guemeians seems to be an issue once again. A new Commissioner has been elected. There is a new head of Public Works. Guemes Ferry has a new manager, a new schedule and some new crew members. There are new members on the GIFC. There is new litigation between FGI and BOCC. For all the changes and new faces, clear communication between BOCC, Public Works, GIFC and Guemes Islanders is still an issue because there is none! Commentary by MJ Andrak, [4.18.8] Send a message to the Commissioners, Public Works Director and ferry manager.
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