HomeMy WebLinkAbout61225 RE_ _EXTERNAL_ Re_ Request to Represent FAC-T at Virtual June WSTC Presentation (June 17)ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
This is perfect, thank you so much Tom. Its likewise been a pleasure working with you and the rest of the group throughout this process.
Aaron Halbert
360-705-7118 (office)
360-292-9510 (cell/telework)
aaron.halbert@wstc.wa.gov <mailto:aaron.halbert@wstc.wa.gov>
From: Tom Thiersch <tomthiersch.fac@gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 12, 2025 4:29 PM
To: Halbert, Aaron <aaron.halbert@wstc.wa.gov>
Cc: Griffith, Reema <reema.griffith@wstc.wa.gov>; See, Carl <carl.see@wstc.wa.gov>; FAC@co.jefferson.wa.us; Tom Thiersch <TomThiersch.FAC@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Re: Request to Represent FAC-T at Virtual June WSTC Presentation (June 17)
Hi Aaron,
Now that the FAC-T meetings have wrapped up for this biennium, it's clear that I won't need to prepare any presentation materials for the meeting on the 17th.
I have received the Zoom invitation, and I'm looking forward to attending. My remarks will be very brief.
I haven't heard much feedback about fare-setting, mostly because of timing (local FACs meet infrequently, either quarterly or bi-monthly) and the fact that the chairs who show up for
the monthly FAC Executive Committee meetings are the same people who have participated in the FAC-T, so there's been no need to review/revisit the same points.
In casual conversations with others, the 3% credit card fee certainly gets their attention (and objection!), but that's the legislature, and not up to the FAC-T. Also, I haven't felt
it appropriate to share any specifics about the possible sizes of the fare increase because we really didn't know what the analysis would show until the #4 meeting.
The fact that there was so much support from the public for both the multiride extension and the surcharge increase during WSF's two recent online webinars is encouraging, although that
enthusiasm will fade once the fare increases are placed in front of them.
The reasons for the large fare increases (4+ percent, depending on Options and May/Oct effective dates) that will be presented should be explained in as much detail as possible to public.
Big reasons I would expect to WSF to outline would include higher operating costs (wages, inflation, workforce development, ...), weak ridership numbers, and insufficient funding by
legislature in a tough budget cycle.
It's been a pleasure working with you and the rest of the FAC-T group.
Thank you,
Tom Thiersch
Chair, Jefferson County Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC), Port Townsend terminal
TomThiersch.FAC@gmail.com <mailto:TomThiersch.FAC@gmail.com>
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