Union protest of foot ferry refused

By Susan Gilmore
Seattle Times staff reporter

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The IBU filed the protest over the Utilities and Transportation Commission's (UTC) temporary permit to Kitsap Ferry to begin the foot-ferry service. The union has until July 14 to protest a permanent permit.

The union, in filing its protest, said the need for the proposed ferry service was not immediate and that it would hurt the state ferry system.

"The commission finds and concludes that there is an urgent and immediate need for passenger-only ferry service between Bremerton and Seattle and that granting a temporary certificate authorizing Kitsap Ferry to provide such service is in the public interest," the three-member panel said in denying the IBU protest.

The temporary permit allows Kitsap Ferry to begin foot-ferry service while its permanent application is pending.

The IBU also protested an application by another company, Aqua Express, which hopes to provide passenger service between Kingston and Seattle. The UTC agreed to let the IBU intervene in that permit on three points: whether the ferry service is financially viable, whether a need exists for the service and how it would affect the state ferries.

The state dropped its passenger-only service for all routes except those serving Vashon Island because they weren't financially viable.

The UTC will hold a hearing in Kingston tomorrow on the Aqua Express application.Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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