Proposed schedule shows no ferry service for Kodiak and Homer from January 12 thru April 30, 2020

The Alaska Marine Highway System has released a draft winter schedule with large gaps in service to coastal communities across the state.

The proposed schedule would end winter ferry service in Prince William Sound altogether. It would also suspend service to Southwestern communities such as Kodiak and Homer from January 12 to April 30.  Southeast Alaska service will also be cut back.

In addition, mainline voyages from Bellingham, Washington will face reductions.

 

 

Legislators approved $46 million for the state ferry system for the 2020 fiscal year. That’s roughly half the amount of state funding it received last year. According to Alaska Department of Transportation spokesperson Aurah Landau, the service gaps aim to keep costs down.

 

“The proposed ferry service is based on funding levels for fiscal year 2020. The gaps in service are times when no vessels are available to provide service to those communities. There are service gaps in this year’s schedule because of vessel layups. Those are typical. They happen every year. There are also cost savings service gaps for some areas.”

 

The Alaska Department of Transportation will accept comments on the proposed schedule until July 26.

Click Here to see Proposed Ferry Schedule for Fiscal Year 2020.

 

Note: This story has been edited.