The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities proposed Alaska Marine Highway System operating plan for October 2021 through April 2022 is now available for public review. The DOT wants comments on the draft schedule from now through July 27th.
Andy Mills, Special Assistant to the Commissioner at the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities spoke with KSRM:
“The Alaska Marine Highway System reaches out every six months or so to formulate a schedule with community and stakeholder input so that schedule best reflects what the communities need as far as port calls and also incorporate special events or other considerations into the formulation of the schedule. This is sort of a bi-annual process that happens. In this case, we’re seeking the winter schedule for 2021. What’s unique about this particular winter schedule is it will be followed by another scheduling event for the summer season after that. That is all due to the governor and legislators working out forward funding for the Alaska Marine Highway System, which allows us to make schedules further out into the future.”
When Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed the FY22 budget into law, it included an $8.7 million increase to the ferry system over the FY21 budget. Also, Dunleavy established an 18-month funding schedule for the Alaska Marine Highway System, ensuring stable and reliable service to the state’s coastal communities. The proposed schedule patterns are based on the adopted FY22 funding levels. The operating plan aims to meet community service needs and maintain regulatory and safety standards for the vessels.
The draft schedule is available here.
Written comments are being accepted through July 27, 2021, via email at dot.amhs.comments@alaska.gov and by fax at (907) 228-6873. A public teleconference to hear additional comments and consider adjustments is scheduled for Thursday, July 29, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. for Southeast schedules and at 1:30 p.m. for Southwest and Southcentral schedules. The meetings will be held at the Alaska Marine Highway Ketchikan Central Office, 7559 North Tongass Highway, for participants wishing to attend in person. The toll-free number for joining both teleconferences is: 1-515-604-9000, access code 279613.