Head of state ferries resigns after 2-1/2 years

By Susan Gilmore
Seattle Times staff reporter

Mike Thorne, 63, will leave job Oct. 1.

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"Mike has done a first-class job in one of the most thankless and difficult jobs in Washington state government," said state Secretary of Transportation Doug MacDonald, who will take over the position until a replacement is named for Thorne.

"I'm really pleased with the results we achieved addressing the most crucial and pressing things," Thorne said. "I've accomplished what I can do and can move on."

Thorne, 63, appointed to the top ferry post in January 2002, worked for 10 years as head of the Port of Portland before resigning to run for governor of Oregon. He later dropped out of the race and was recruited for the $130,000-a-year ferry job.

The job has been fraught with controversy. Initiative 695, passed by voters in 1999, slashed the state's motor-vehicle excise tax and eliminated 20 percent of the ferry system's operating funds and 75 percent of its revenue for boats, terminals and other capital projects.

The ferries have been without food since January because of a union dispute, Thorne canceled most of the state's passenger-only ferry runs in a cost-saving move, and he has been required to implement a security program at the ferry terminals.

Thorne also implemented a "5-5-5" plan for the ferries, which called for a 5 percent cap in fare increases, a 5 percent cut in costs and 5 percent in new revenue.

In addition, Thorne initiated ticket purchases by credit card and, to save fuel costs, slowed some of the ferries traveling during nonpeak hours. He also helped implement a switch to low-sulfur diesel fuel for the ferry's fleet of 28 vessels, reducing their sulfur-dioxide emissions by 90 percent.

His biggest mark may be the remake of downtown Seattle's Colman Dock, now under way, which Thorne hopes will make it more of a destination than a place ferry passengers pass through. He envisions a restaurant and shops; a place to spend money and help balance the ferry-system books.

"This is a reflection of things the ferry system in the future needs to be doing," Thorne said.

In announcing his resignation, Thorne said he enjoyed the challenge of leading the state ferries.
 
"We have put a strong business plan in place, shored-up revenues, implemented measures to make the system more safe and secure and have begun the long process of rebuilding our fleet and facilities," Thorne said.

He said he came into the job with huge expectations, that he'd be able to achieve financial footing with no plan how to get there. Raising ferry fares drove away customers, voters rejected Referendum 51, which would have dumped billions of dollars into state transportation projects, and there were no plans how to replace the aging state ferries, some 70 years old.

"Clearly, we're saddened," said DOT spokeswoman Linda Mullen. "He does have one of the most thankless and difficult jobs."

Thorne said he will leave the job Oct. 1 to return to Pendleton, where his family has a 5,000-acre wheat farm. He said he decided to resign now because he didn't want to leave in the middle of a legislative session.

"There's more to do, but that's life," he said, adding that he'll miss Seattle, "but that doesn't mean I don't know the way back."

He said he'll return to Pendleton to decide what he'll do next. "I don't intend to do nothing," Thorne said. "I feel too good to just quit. I could have retired before I came here, but I believe if I have the energy, interest and desire, I want to continue to take advantage of it. And I'll never be a good golfer."

Susan Gilmore: 206-464-2054 or sgilmore@seattletimes.com