For Immediate Release

July 13, 2007

HOUSE ADDS FUNDING TO START
PASSENGER FERRY PURCHASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In addition to funding approved by a Senate Committee this week for completion of a study of low-wake, passenger-only ferry boats that would operate between Bremerton and Seattle, the House has approved a request from Rep. Norm Dicks for $1.5 million to purchase an initial ferry.

             The congressman inserted the money into the Transportation Appropriations bill, arguing that the research effort will be finished by late 2007, and that ferry service could begin sooner if money to acquire one of these specially designed boats were approved now.

             The federal government has been funding the research of low-wake passenger ferry technology for service that would be operated by Kitsap Transit to speed commuters back and forth in Puget Sound without harming the area shorelines.  Through Senator Patty Murray’s efforts this week, $2.2 million has been included in the Senate Transportation Appropriations bill to finish the study.

             “These are important steps toward the start of this fast passenger ferry service that can reduce the commute times between downtown Seattle and Bremerton to about 35 minutes,” Rep. Dicks said.

             In the same appropriations bill, Rep. Dicks said, the House also approved the expenditure of $400,000 for improvements to Bremerton’s waterfront, creating a public plaza between the new housing along Washington Avenue and the Bremerton Boardwalk slated for construction in the next phase of the city’s aggressive waterfront re-development.

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