The ferry system’s 30 percent winter roundtrip discount is gone and come next summer, the “driver go free” option will disappear, too.

Cuts to the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) have been widespread and show no signs of slowing or reversing: Naturalist interpreters aboard vessels were eliminated earlier this year. Printed schedules will be discontinued next year. Southeast service will probably be cut. Tariffs may be increased early next year.

Along with the fine-tuning of…