Bill Overview
Title: Ferry Service Expansion Act
Description: This bill revises and increases funding for grant programs related to ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities, including by making certain passenger ferries eligible and qualified vessels for capital construction funds.
Sponsors: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Target Audience
Population: People relying on ferries for transportation
Estimated Size: 10000000
- Ferries are widely used in island nations and regions with significant water travel requirements, such as Indonesia, Philippines, and Scandinavian countries.
- Infrastructure improvements and expansion will benefit communities that rely on ferries as a primary mode of transport.
- Urban areas with significant waterway infrastructure for transit like New York, Sydney, or Hong Kong may particularly benefit.
- Island communities globally may see significant improvements in connectivity and service, impacting both daily commuters and tourists.
- Increased funding can lead to expanded services, improved facilities, and potentially lower costs for passengers.
- People involved in manufacturing, maintenance, and operation of ferries might see economic benefit from increased demand.
Reasoning
- The range of individuals included is diverse to account for those directly relying on ferries for daily commuting, economic activities, as well as those in regions with lesser dependence. This also captures indirect economic benefits seen by those involved in ferry-related industries.
- This simulation considers that not everyone affected will see extremely high impacts — multiple degrees of impact offer a more nuanced view. Urban and coastal areas will be more affected than inland.
- With the limited budget and scope, not all ferry services or regions will see equal improvements; thus, some individuals report no impact or only moderate benefit.
- The time horizon of 10 to 20 years captures both short-term and long-term effects, as improvements in infrastructure typically deliver increasing benefits over time as more fresh investments are reinvested and capacity grows.
Simulated Interviews
Commuter (Staten Island, NY)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I rely on the ferry daily to get to work, so any improvements or reductions in fares would make my commute smoother and cheaper.
- I hope they add more frequent ferry trips during rush hour because it gets crowded.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Software Developer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having a better ferry service means less time and hassle commuting into the city for work events or casual meetups.
- Cleaner and more eco-friendly options are also something I'm glad to see.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Retired Naval Engineer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As someone who used to work with ferries and boats, it's exciting to see technological advancements in terminal facilities and services.
- The expansion could boost tourism, which could help me earn a bit more from guiding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Tour Guide (Anchorage, AK)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better ferries can certainly make excursions more appealing to tourists and could make my job smoother.
- Reduced transportation disruption during peak tourist season would definitely be beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Policy Analyst (Boston, MA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think such infrastructural enhancements are critical for sustainable urban growth, even if I don't personally use these services.
- Investment in ferry systems could set a precedent for other projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Owner of a Family Restaurant (New Orleans, LA)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If tourist access improves, it could really drive up my business volume.
- I've seen fewer tourists when the ferry service had interruptions, so expanded services would help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Marine Biologist (Miami, FL)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improved ferry operations should include sustainable practices that protect marine environments.
- Research on ferry emissions and fuel efficiency might now be more relevant.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Ferry Captain (Charleston, SC)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If they fix some docks and expand routes, it would really help us do our job properly.
- I hope improvements lead to better safety measures and conditions at sea.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 6 |
College Student (Portland, ME)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any cuts to ferry fares would help a lot since I'm a student.
- More reliable schedules could be great, especially during exam weeks.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 5 |
Logistics Coordinator (Jacksonville, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Ferry service improvement is good for reducing logistical bottlenecks, especially for regions dependent on maritime supply chains.
- It might bring more business to the region.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 2: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 3: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 5: $200000000 (Low: $150000000, High: $250000000)
Year 10: $100000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $125000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $75000000)
Key Considerations
- The initial cost outlay is high, focusing on infrastructure and operational improvements that are capital-intensive.
- There is potential for long-term economic benefits that might offset the initial government expenditure.
- Regional differences in ferry usage and infrastructure mean that the impacts will vary significantly across different areas.
- Environmental impacts of increased ferry traffic, including emissions, noise, and water disturbance, should be considered.