Vashon Island reacts to Ferguson WSF announcement

||| FROM AMY DRYER for VASHON CHAMBER |||

Vashon Island, WA – At a press conference this morning, Governor Bob Ferguson announced a major win for ferry-served communities: Washington State Ferries (WSF) will restore full service to domestic routes starting this June. That will include the Triangle Route, including Vashon, Fauntleroy, and Southworth.

Islanders for Ferry Action thanks the Governor for making this possible by delaying the planned electrification conversion of the remaining two Jumbo Mark II vessels, prioritizing urgently needed service restorations.

For Vashon Island and the broader Fix Our Ferries coalition, this is a game-changing victory. As outlined in WSF’s official August 2023 Service Restoration Plan, the Triangle Route (Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth) is designated as the first priority for full restoration—and that moment has arrived. Islanders can now look forward to more reliable service, reduced wait times, and a return to the ferry schedule that our community depends on.

“This is a direct result of sustained community action,” said Amy Drayer, Director of Islanders for Ferry Action. “Islanders for Ferry Action and, critically, the regional Fix Our Ferries coalition, tagged the situation as a ferry crisis and mobilized thousands of emails, calls, and meetings to demand accountability and investment. Vashon has fought for fair and equitable ferry service, and today we see the impact of our voices. This is a huge win, but we must stay engaged to ensure continued progress. We are incredibly grateful to Governor Ferguson for fulfilling his promise to Vashon, and for the work behind the scenes at WSF to make this happen.”

“In these times, it’s heartening to know that a group of everyday people can organize around a problem and get results. We’re so proud of the actions our community took, the response of our elected leaders, and the outcome we finally achieved,” said Beth Lindsay, Islanders for Ferry Action steering committee member, who serves along with Wendy Aman and Rick Wallace.

Wallace echoed: “In all my years of community work on Vashon, I have never experienced such a turnaround. When we started, we heard over and over again that we had taken on an impossible task. The people who said it couldn’t be done did not reckon with the people of Vashon who hit the ground running to solve even the most challenging community problems. We thank them. Everyone should thank them.”

What This Means for Vashon and Other Ferry-Served Communities:

• Three-boat service returns in June: More frequent sailings and improved reliability on the Triangle Route.
• More vessels available system wide: By delaying vessel conversions, WSF ensures that existing ferries remain in service where they are needed most.
• A model for continued advocacy: The success of the Triangle Route restoration underscores the power of grassroots action from Islanders for Ferry Action, Fix Our Ferries, and ferry-served communities across Puget Sound.

While today’s announcement is a significant step forward, the work is not done. Deputy Transportation Secretary and WSF head Steve Nevey announced that staffing levels now meet pre-pandemic levels. But our communities know that resiliency challenges remain. The ferry system still faces staffing shortages, vessel reliability challenges, and long-term funding needs. Vashon’s ferry users, along with Islanders for Ferry Action and the Fix Our Ferries coalition, remain committed to pushing for ongoing investments in our marine highways.

We encourage all community members to stay informed, participate in upcoming public meetings, and continue advocating for a fully functional and equitable ferry system.

Learn more about Islanders for Ferry Action: https://www.vashonchamber.com/islandersforferryaction/

Learn more about the regional Fix Our Ferries movement: https://fixourferries.org/