Did you know that for 47 years, twice daily jet service has been available throughout Southeast except in Haines? For 50 years, Juneau folks could ferry to Haines arriving by noon as a walk-on, do four hours business and catch the south-bound ferry back to Juneau all in one day. By comparison, to do four hours business in Juneau we arrive at Auke Bay two hours before midnight, get a hotel and on day two do our business for $210 and return on day three for $465 round trip.
From its inception, the ferry Chilkat should have been based in Haines and not Juneau so both Juneau and Haines travelers could have same-day service. It’s been extremely expensive and time consuming to do business with Juneau, but very lucrative for Juneau’s hotels and restaurants. The Haines ferry port is the most important connecting port in Southeast. It’s also the second largest dock in Southeast with the best access and weather location. With the ferry system in crisis, it’s a prime opportunity for our new Mayor and assembly to correct this past oversight. When presented with these facts our two state representatives should be willing and eager to help.
Dave Werner