Ferry System Faces Gap for Boats, Terminals SEATTLE (KPLU) - Efforts to replace Washington's aging ferry fleet and update ferry terminals are projected to come up short over the next couple of decades. And some members of the state's congressional delegation are pushing for more federal help.

Washington State Ferries has the nation's largest fleet - and one of the oldest. The ferry system's just-released long-range plan looks ahead to 2030. Ferry chief David Moseley says the capital funding gap over the next 22 years for terminals, boat preservation and new boat constructions is about $3 billion.

The plan envisions buying 10 new boats for nearly $2 billion and spending more than a billion more on preserving existing vessels. Another billion-plus would go to maintaining and updating terminals, including improvements to help riders connect with buses and other transit.

The ferry system lost about 75% of its funding for big-ticket items like boats and terminals when voters scaled back the car-tab tax in 1999.

Now, Senator Patty Murray and Congressman Rick Larsen are trying to boost federal aid to ferry systems across the country. They're proposing a bill that would bring tens of millions of dollars to Washington State Ferries each year.

Washington State Ferries Long-Range Plan

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