Today, state Sen. Ron Muzzall joined calls for the in-state construction of more ferries to meet the needs of Washingtonians and tourists visiting the region. Muzzall was responding to Gov. Bob Ferguson’s announcement that the electric-power conversion of two state ferries will be delayed until after Seattle hosts the World Cup in 2026.

WSF operates the largest public-ferry system in the country, serving more than 19,148,000 total annual riders (10 million passengers and 9 million vehicles) in 2024. It is a division of the state Department of Transportation and operates 10 routes serving 20 terminals within Puget Sound and in the San Juan Islands. To service these routes, WSF maintains a fleet of 21 vessels.

Muzzall says a larger, more reliable fleet is vital to the communities he represents in the 10th Legislative District, which includes Island and parts of Skagit County.

“The governor’s confidence is appreciated, but the communities that rely on our ferries every day need more than just promises—they need reliable service now,” said Muzzall. “While I support efforts to restore staffing levels, we must ensure that our shipbuilding process is efficient and cost-effective, not bogged down by delays and political considerations. Bid flexibility is a step in the right direction, but we need real accountability to get ferries built and in service.”

Muzzall pointed out that one way to help ensure new ship construction is by Washington taking advantage of federal emphasis on new domestic shipbuilding capacity.