When last heard from WSF was saying they would have to put the passenger only ferries in dry dock, since they were the least high priority of the WSF fleet (despite being the newest). If they truly aren't going to use these new vessels, I vote we put them up for auction, allowing a 10% discount if they are used commercially within the Puget Sound for the next three years. No other subsidies, just the discount. If Kitsap Transit wants to take them over, that's fine, but they'll have to pay at least 90% of the top bid, and a 10% lien placed on them for the next three years. No sweetheart give-away deals from the state as a whole to one county. They were paid for with revenue from the entire state, so if they are surplus to requirements they ought to be sold off to the highest bidder with the proceeds going into the transportation (not general) fund. Worst possible scenario is for us to pay drydock or mooring fees while they just sit there and age.

Anybody have any better ideas?

-- Mark Stilson (mark842@hotmail.com), December 17, 1999

Answers

Put them up for sale to the highest bidder. Same for the bits and pieces of Sounder. Reclaim whatever tax money you can.

-- (zowie@hotmail.com), December 18, 1999.