For users of our state ferry system, chronically late ferries are the equivalent of rush-hour traffic jams, only far more preventable.

Sen. Kevin Ranker, D-San Juan Island, said the cumulative effect of long ferry waits during peak travel season creates a drag on the regional economy in Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties already suffering from the national recession.

“Commuters depend on ferries all across Puget Sound every day,” Ranker said. “But so do businesses and hospitals and schools. Ferries are part of our highway system and we absolutely need them to be move goods and people predictably, efficiently and reliably. We should demand nothing less of our state ferry system.”

As part of a sweeping ferry system reform package aimed at reigning in the extravagant travel time and mileage benefits earned by state ferry workers that the state Senate approved on Wednesday, Ranker secured key oversight and accountability funding to examine chronic ferry delays, and develop reforms to the ferry system that will optimize dependability.

Ranker said the funding is an investment in the future performance of the region’s marine highway system that will pay dividends to the local economy.

“It’s good government to keep the trains running on time,” said Ranker. “For our region, it’s good government to keep the ferries running on time. That’s what we’re working towards, and this oversight and accountability funding will help us achieve it.”

The ferry reform bill is House Bill 2271. It passed the Senate on a unanimous vote and now returns to the House of Representatives for concurrence on amendments.