2-21-2019
BELLINGHAM, Wash. — The Alaska Ferry system, which has weekly sailings to Bellingham, isn’t scheduling any trips from October 1 to June 30, 2020 due to funding uncertainty.
KTUU in Anchorage reports Governor Mike Dunleavy’s budget proposal would slash the system’s funding by 75%.
Some lawmakers say halting service during the winter months would isolate many communities, and they worry the ferry system wouldn’t recover from such a long shutdown.
Alaska’s Office of Management and Budget says ridership has been falling and it’s working with a marine consultant to restructure the system, possibly with a public and private partnership.