(JUNEAU, Alaska) – The proposed Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) schedule for the summer 2016 season, which runs May through September, is now available for public review and comment.  The proposed schedule can be accessed through a link on the homepage at FerryAlaska.com or directly through the following address: https://www.dot.state.ak.us/amhs/share/schedule/considerations.pdf.

All state agencies, including the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities, are working with reduced budgets due to low oil prices.  The proposed AMHS summer schedule aims to maximize ferry service to Alaskans within the available operating budget.

The comment period is an opportunity for individuals, organizations, and communities to review and comment on the proposed 2016 summer schedule.  The comment period has been extended to allow for more opportunity to review the proposed summer schedule which is significantly different than previous years’ schedules.

AMHS will be transitioning to a new reservations system beginning with the summer 2016 schedule. The new system will be ready to accept advanced bookings through the AMHS call center starting in December 2015. The new online booking portal at FerryAlaska.com will be made available shortly thereafter.

Written comments will be accepted via email at dot.amhs.comments@alaska.gov and by fax at 907-228-6874 prior to November 3, 2015.

A teleconference to hear comments and consider adjustments is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. for Southeast Alaska schedules and 1:30 p.m. for Southwest and Southcentral Alaska schedules.  The meeting will be held in Ketchikan at the Marine Engineering Facility 7037 North Tongass Highway for participants wishing to attend in person.

The toll free number to participate in either teleconference is:  1-800-315-6338, conference code 03902#.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities oversees 249 airports, 11 ferries serving 35 communities, 5,619 miles of highway and 720 public facilities throughout the state of Alaska.  The mission of the department is to Keep Alaska Moving through service and infrastructure.

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