It turns out that 2009 is not the year for Washington State Ferries to find a solution to its budget troubles.

After months of scrubbing numbers, holding meetings, and listening to public input, the state transportation commission’s recommendations were this: incremental fare increases and a fuel and summer surcharge would help cover the impending budget deficit and fund the construction of new boats. The notion of reinstating the excise tax was also discussed. But the state legislature didn’t move forward with any of it.

“The system’s sustainability has not been dealt with,” Transportation Commissioner Bob Distler said. “To be fair, the legislature has bigger fish to fry. They are dealing with a $9.5 billion state-wide deficit. But it’s very disappointing. We all expected that this was the year the legislature would finally deal with long-term ferry funding.”

The state transportation budget is prepared separately from the general budget. The Senate and House have both passed proposed budgets, which they will discuss in the coming weeks. Eventually, one budget – that both agree on – will be put before Gov. Gregoire. She has the power to veto portions or approve it.

The Senate’s budget allows for building four 64-car vessels in the next four years; the House budget calls for three 64-car boats and one 144-car ferry. The fiscal plans associated with each budget call for only a 2.5 fare increase.

There won’t be any terminal work, except for replacing the roof on the Anacortes terminal, any surcharges, or provisions to fund the system’s huge shortfall.

“If ferry users took a step back from their short-term desires of minimal fare increases, they too will be disappointed,” Distler said. “There is no long-term funding for a several billion-dollar deficit in the next 16 to 22 years. We’re just putting it off.”

Distler says the future of sustaining Washington State Ferries and its service levels is up in the air.

“If it ever gets really bad, the San Juans would lose to Kitsap, simply because we don’t have the commuter base. Nor do we have the legislative clout. My fervent desire is that the system never comes to that.”