Kitsap Transit has been awarded $13.5 million in federal funding to replace its aging fast ferry, the MV Finest, which serves the Kingston-Seattle route. The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration’s Passenger Ferry Grant Program and was announced by U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
In August 2024, the MV Finest broke down due to a water jet malfunction which caused a temporary halt in the Kingston-Seattle service. According to Kitsap Transit, the 25-year-old vessel is at the end of its operational life, and the cost to refurbish it would be 75% or more of the expense of a new vessel.
The total cost of the replacement is $17.5 million, with federal funding covering 77% of the project. The new ferry is expected to utilize EPA Tier 4 engines. A press release issued by Sen. Cantwell states this upgrade aligns with the agency's efforts to implement more environmentally friendly vessels on its routes.
Kitsap Transit operates the second-largest ferry fleet in Washington and plays a key role in connecting the residents of Kitsap County with Seattle and other parts of the state.
“More than 270,000 Kitsap County residents count on the ferry system to get them to work, school, doctor appointments, sports and cultural events, and more. This grant will replace a 25-year-old fast ferry that broke down just last month with a new eco-friendly vessel on the Kingston-Seattle route,” said Sen. Cantwell in a statement. “As ridership on Kitsap Transit’s fast ferries soars, this new ferry will deliver the world-class service and reliability Washingtonians deserve.”
Kitsap Transit reported that its fast ferry service carried over one million passengers in 2023 and has seen an increase in ridership in 2024. The agency expects to continue serving more passengers as demand rises. In the first quarter of 2024, ridership was up by 40,800 compared to the same period in 2023.
The press release noted that Sen. Cantwell has been an advocate for investment in Washington's transportation infrastructure. The statement noted her support in several projects to modernize and expand the state’s ferry and transit systems. Notably, in 2023, she helped secure $44.6 million to convert three Washington State ferries to hybrid-electric propulsion systems and played a key role in acquiring $25 million for the replacement of the 60-year-old Lummi Island ferry, the release said. This latest grant for Kitsap Transit continues a series of federal investments aimed at improving the state's transportation network, with a particular focus on ferry systems that connect communities across Puget Sound.
