"Urging the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities to use the Alaska marine highway system fast ferries efficiently by deploying the fast ferries in northern Lynn Canal and Prince William Sound beginning in the summer of 2006, and to provide data regularly to the affected communities to enable the communities to evaluate the service effectively. "

Frustration is being felt by the coastal communities in northern Lynn Canal and Prince William Sound, who, for years, have been promised reliable scheduling and deployment of the fast vehicle ferries. They feel they have yet to see this promise fulfilled.

In late 2004 and early 2005, a marketing group including residents of Cordova, Whittier, Valdez and Anchorage, held meetings with Alaska Airlines, the Alaska Railroad and others businesses to develop strategies to successfully incorporate the new fast ferry transportation system into the Prince William Sound area. Unfortunately, they were told at the last minute that the M/V Chenega wouldn't be operating in that area because, among other reasons, the labor negotiations had not been concluded in time to begin operations.

Earlier this winter, again with little warning, the M/V Fairweather was pulled from her regular schedule between Juneau, Haines, Skagway and Sitka and was deployed, along with the M/V Chenega, on "experimental" runs in southern Southeast. Those runs transported very few passengers and generated very little revenue. This was no surprise to those Alaskans who use the ferries year-round, but the communities were never consulted prior to the schedule change.

Because of the State of Alaska and DOT's deficiency in long term planning, coastal communities who previously relied upon the ferries and their regular service, realize that it may no longer be a viable option. Also, no contingency plans are currently in place, which is disappointing due to status of the fleet, which is composed of so many old vessels.

HCR 38 urges the Department of Transportation to revert back to its original plan and operate the M/V Fairweather on a year-round basis in northern Lynn Canal and the M/V Chenega on a year-round basis in Prince William Sound so that the state can determine the true demand and economic feasibility of these vessels in the areas for which they were designed. It also asks that a 2-year schedule be developed, and that quarterly updates be given to the mayors of the affected communities so they may also evaluate the performance of these vessels in many areas.

The AMHS needs to become more reliable for those communities who depend on its service. The House Transportation Committee asks for your support on this resolution.

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