Ferry Schedule Released Early
Wednesday, October 3rd, 2012
The Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) has released its 2013 Summer Schedule. The early release of the schedule is great news for coastal Alaska and is the result of public comment and smart business practices by AMHS.
I’ve worked with communities and the administration during the past several years to enhance the service and operations of Alaska’s ferry system. We’ve restructured the Marine Transportation Advisory Board (MTAB) and increased opportunities for public comment to make AMHS aware of community events. We’ve also funded construction of new vessels and realigned the ferry system’s budget to be more efficient and responsive.
Even within this short time period we’re already seeing results. The Alaska Marine Highway System is coming off a year of record high revenue. In 2011 AMHS revenues totaled $52.2 million, an increase of over 7 percent from the previous year. With no increase in fares, that revenue increase was generated by increased ridership including an all-time record high of 114,100 vehicles transported. This is great news for the long-term viability of AMHS and all the residents of coastal Alaska who depend on it.
I applaud the early release of the 2013 Summer Schedule and look forward to working with AMHS and the administration to improve marine transportation in Alaska.