Unalaska, AK – The state's Marine Transportation Advisory Board is recommending increased ferry service to southwest Alaska from Homer to Unalaska. Southwest Alaska Municipal Conference leaders met with the board Monday morning. They urged the board to increase service to the region from once to twice a month during the summer. The ferry route, which stops in villages like Chignik and Sand Point, helps connect local villages and increase commerce in the region. The advisory board makes non-binding recommendations to the state and the Alaska Marine Highway System on issues related to the state ferry system. During the meeting board chair Cathie Roemmich wrote a recommendation that would help people in the southwest without cutting service to the southeast.

"M-TAB recommends that the Kennicott run full time April through September on the cross-gulf Kodiak-Homer-Seldovia run which will then allow the Tustumena to make two trips a month out the Aleutian chain and that these runs be included in the Alaska Marine Highway System yearly budget," she said. "This recommendation will not take away from any existing service but will add a much needed service back into the schedule."

The schedule change is dependent on the state's budget. Governor Palin will release her proposed fiscal year 2010 budget on December 15. She says it will be tighter than previous years because of lower oil prices. However, the lower fuel prices might help the ferry system because it will make it cheaper to operate.

The advisory board suggests that people who are interested in increased service to the region should write letters to the ferry system, local legislators, and the governor's office.