Bremerton councilmember Jerry McDonald urged the Port Orchard City Council not to eliminate the Friday and Saturday extended hours for the foot ferry that runs between the two cities.

During final residents comments at the March 24 council meeting, McDonald said he didn’t feel the extended hours was marketed enough.

“I would encourage you to do some serious consideration on the Friday and Saturday night foot ferry trips,” McDonald said. “I think there is a great opportunity for you (Port Orchard). During the past years, I don’t think we marketed it very well. We need to sit down and market it. Maybe we can do it jointly.”

He feels if would benefit both cities.

During the March 17 work study session, the council discussed eliminating the Friday and Saturday night extended hours for the foot ferry.

The city’s Economic Development and Tourism Committee analyzed the actual Friday and Saturday ridership from 2014 and determined it would cost more than $34,000.

Records show there was 122 riders on Friday nights and 276 on Saturday nights last summer.

Over the past few years, the city — along with the city of Bremerton, Port of Bremerton and most recently Kitsap County — have provided funding for additional foot-ferry service between Bremerton and Port Orchard.

Council directed staff to contact the other partners about reducing Friday and Saturday night service.

The council plans to discuss and take action on foot-ferry service at a to-be determined meeting.

Also, McDonald — in his first term on the council — noted that Bremerton had joined Visit Seattle and urged the city to join, as well.

“Visit Seattle has a giant arm all over the world,” he said. “For $500, you’d get your monies worth.

He said by joining Visit Seattle, the two cities could help build a network on the West Sound.

“When you go to the Coleman Dock, you can either go to the right or the left,” McDonald said. “We want them to go to the left. The more things we have over here to do, the better we can get those people over here.”

He said there are more than 1 million visitors that come to Seattle during the summer.

“One of the main tourist attractions in the state is that white-and-green boat that comes to Bremerton.” he said.

Citing Roger Brooks, McDonald said, “For every hour it takes to get somewhere there should be four hours of things to do. I think we have more than four hours of things to do in Bremerton, but there is still a lot to do over here (Port Orchard).”

He feels that the cities are not marketing things that need to be marketed such as the ferries.

Councilmember Bek Ashby told McDonald that Explore Port Orchard — which is comprised of the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce, Port Orchard Bay Street Association, Fathoms o’ Fund, Sidney Art Gallery and Museum, and the city — has joined Visit Seattle.

“I think we need to partner better and we’re not,” McDonald said.

Matt Murphy, Chamber executive director, said that 400,000 people rode the foot ferry in 2014.

He said that Explore Port Orchard wants to promote the city and South Kitsap, but funding is limited.

He noted that the Chamber, Fathoms and Olalla Bluegrass and Beyond Festival were excluded from receiving any lodging tax funds from Kitsap County.

“Visit Kitsap received $209,000 of LTAC funds from the county and South Kitsap received zero money from the county to push this area,” Murphy said.

Murphy said that Explore Port Orchard appreciates funds from the city’s lodging tax.

“That is what we are using to market the area,” added Murphy.