Alaska state ferries to cut bar service this summer

There will be no bar service this summer on the Alaska state ferries, and officials say the move will save $750,000.

The Alaska Marine Highway System says the bars lose money every year.

Department of Transportation spokespersonJeremy Woodrowsays the biggest savings will be in salaries, but no current employees will lose their jobs.

"Crew members that work in the bars currently, they'll be put in other positions," he said. "Then those positions wouldn't be hired for the summer and then through the next winter."

Woodrow says even though the bars will be closed, beer and wine will still be available in the cafeteria.The bar areas will be converted to general seating areas.

Six Alaska state ferries offer bar service, including the ferry that serves Skagway and Haines.

The date that barservice is suspended depends on when the ship goes in for its spring overhaul but it will be before June.