Council boosts foot ferry plan

The Bainbridge City Council is on board with a plan that would span Puget Sound with passenger-only ferries.

The council on Wednesday endorsed Proposition 1, sponsored by Kitsap Transit and included on the Feb. 6, all-mail ballot. If passed, the measure would raise the sales tax in Kitsap County by three-tenths of a cent to pay for foot ferry service connecting Kingston, Bremerton Port Orchard and Southworth with Seattle.

Council Chair Chris Snow voted for the endorsement, saying improved cross-sound connections would ease island traffic.

“I felt the proposition would have a very positive effect on congestion on the island and around the county, particularly at the height of rush hour,” he said.

The service, which would be implemented in phases, would be subsidized by Kitsap Transit and operated by a private company.

Vessels would come in two sizes – one holding 149 passengers, the other holding 80 – and would make up to 12 trips daily.

In 2003, a majority of Bainbridge islanders voted for similar measure that failed, earning just 38 percent overall at the polls. Meanwhile, the state has said it won’t pursue foot ferries, and private outfits haven’t yet shown the ability to sustain themselves.

Three Bainbridge councilors voted to endorse Prop. 1; Debbie Vancil abstained. The other three councilors were absent.

The Bainbridge council joins Kitsap County Commissioners and the Bremerton and Port Orchard city councils in supporting the proposition.

Opponents of the measure, some of whom spoke at Wednesday’s council meeting, cited cost and environmental concerns about the plan.