New leader announced for Washington State Ferries: Lynne Griffith

A new leader for the state ferry system is on the way: Lynne Griffith, currently CEO of Pierce Transit, a job she had held for eight years and had previously said she would leave at year’s end. Griffith’s appointment was announced this morning by state Transportation Secretary Lynn Peterson. The official news release notes that Griffith will be the first woman to serve in the role of Assistant Secretary for WSDOT’s Washington State Ferries division, and that she has more than 35 years of experience in the transportation industry. The previous assistant secretary, David Moseley, resigned six months ago after six years. Griffith starts next month. (Photo courtesy WSF)

K'lo September 10, 2014 (10:26 am)

Wishing Ms. Griffith the best of luck! She has inherited quite the mess…

wetone September 10, 2014 (12:36 pm)

WSDOT along with SDOT seem to be making some interesting choices these days. WSDOT hires Lynne Griffith for ferry system has no maritime experience and her age is another factor. Will she be a short timer or has she said she plans to stay around more than a couple years ? WSF needs serious rework and I would think someone with maritime experience and plans on staying for a while is what it’s going to take to straighten out. Same for SDOT they hire Scott Kubly that has little experience in what that job entails and work record shows him changing jobs often. Hope both areas don’t lose ground.

westseattledood September 10, 2014 (12:40 pm)

Ditto that.

But I have hope for our ferry system. We must invest heavily in efficient vessels and recalibrate routes which reflect current needs. Exclusive E/W passage is cluelessness. Not building new ferries and not buying/leasing shoreline real estate is also clueless. When I say clueless I really mean irresponsible. So support Olympia reps who get this. Let’s set this up right for viable sustainable transportation for future generations and for the livability of Cascadia.

pw September 10, 2014 (6:56 pm)

You guys are loco, the ferry system is more complex than most people can imagine, and it runs smoother than you think. Not easy being the largest ferry system in the world by vehicle volume and still operate at 99.5% reliability, ya know?

westseattledood September 10, 2014 (8:00 pm)

you’ve missed the point, i believe, pw.

no loss.

Dis September 10, 2014 (8:05 pm)

someone said >>>her age is another factor

What is that supposed to mean?

don September 11, 2014 (7:29 am)

Perhaps she’ll have the courage to run the ferry system as a business, raising faress, holding to schedules, and “rightsizing” the fleet to meet the unique demands of each route, including seasonal adjustments. As users, we won’t like the increased costs we’ll pay, and the unions won’t like the changes this will entail, but it is the right thing to do to ensure an enduring service model.

Rick September 11, 2014 (7:43 am)

Could the implication be that she is just padding her retirement?

marty September 11, 2014 (10:58 am)

Maybe she will end “commuter rates”. It makes no sense to give residents of Vashon etc. reduced rates when they made the choice to live where they must use the ferry system. I sure don’t see anyone giving me reduced gasoline prices. The rest of us subsidize their lifestyle with taxes and are rewarded with paying higher fares. Can someone explain the logic? Same thing for the Narrows Bridge.

Sorry, comment time is over.