State ferry system chief announces resignation

"I've accomplished much of what we set out to," said Mike Thorne, 63, chief executive officer of Washington State Ferries. A business plan to put the ferry system on more stable footing is in place, and it's time to move on, he said.

Thorne's resignation is effective Oct. 1. After that, he said, he'll go home to his wheat ranch in Pendleton, Ore., and ponder what's next for his career.

Until a replacement can be found, Transportation Secretary Doug MacDonald said he'd fill the post. MacDonald said there is no timeline to replace Thorne, but that he'd be "astonished" if they were able to fill the position by the end of the year.

During Thorne's tenure, the state ferry system has seen major changes and challenges, some frustrating ferry commuters and employees. In recent years, the ferry division scaled back service -- eliminating passenger-only service between Bremerton and Seattle. And the state continues to struggle in contract negotiations with ferry workers unions.

Last year, hoping to boost revenues, Thorne's agency asked food companies to sign contracts that would give the state a bigger cut of the profits. In the end, the bidding process failed and passengers were stuck with vending machines. Efforts since then to find a contractor have been stymied by unsuccessful contract negotiations.

But some credit Thorne with substantial improvements. Four new ferries are being built. And the state has completed the first phase of renovations at Seattle's Colman Dock terminal at Pier 52. According to plans, by next month, work should be completed on a new layout, flooring and facades for seven food and sundries retailers.

Thorne also established a so-called "5, 5, 5" business plan, which cut spending by 5 percent per year, boosted fares by 5 percent annually and imposed a goal to increase non-fare revenues by another 5 percent.

Before Thorne took the post, the ferry system suffered for lack of such a business plan, MacDonald said. "Mike came into this system when it very much needed exactly what he brought," he said. "Mike and I have worked really hard together. We haven't agreed on every single thing, but we have always agreed on the directions for ferries."

MacDonald said Thorne's position can be thankless because there is an "unremitting" demand of administrative duties, from contract negotiations to new security requirements. "I also think there's also a wearing-down process that took its toll," MacDonald said.

Thorne sometimes clashed with state lawmakers, some of whom accused him of overstepping his authority.

"I have not been pleased with his performance," said Rep. Beverly Woods, R-Poulsbo. "The last two years in the Legislature when we were fighting for ferry funding and fighting for passenger-only ferries, Mike Thorne was working against us."

It took several months for state officials to persuade Thorne to accept the position in early 2002, Thorne said.

Back then, he vowed to put the system on more stable financial footing, attract more passengers and improve customer service. He said he wanted passenger-only vessels to be treated more like buses, part of the regional transit system.

P-I reporter Angela Galloway can be reached at 206-448-8333 or angelagalloway@seattlepi.com

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