Leadership first and foremost

Re: “Ferry system needs funding, leadership,” [Opinion, Dec. 26]:

This is a statement that needs to have the subjects reversed: leadership and then funding.

How can any of us support more funding for a system that has been proved to be infected with rampant waste of money and resources on a grand scale. First we need sound management at all levels of the system before it is given more money.

Since the ferry system is an extension of our highway system, it definitely shouldn’t be involved in any passenger-only ventures. There is lots of room for walk-on passengers on our vehicle ferries. The added expense of operating passenger-only boats is far greater per passenger mile than if those same passengers continue to ride the conventional ferry system.

Why are we, the taxpayers, paying huge sums to supply a passenger-only ferry just to cut 20 minutes off the Bremerton run? It doesn’t make good sense! And there is talk of having a passenger-only ferry system throughout the Sound. None of those county-funded trials has worked. It would only operate if it got big money from all of us and it would only benefit a very few. We can’t let that happen.

There are many more things that need to happen within the ferry system before we give them more funding.

Ross Budden, Seattle