Thursday, November 14 San Juan Islands Partnership Group meeting 11:30 a.m. at the San Juan Island Yacht Club, 273 Front Street in Friday Harbor.
from Joy Goldenberg of Washington State Ferries
Washington State Ferries (WSF) is considering the expansion of its the “Save a Spot” Vehicle Reservation System (VRS) beyond its current reservation systems to customers on the Port Townsend/Coupeville and Anacortes/Sidney, B.C. routes and for commercial customers in the San Juan Islands.
A vehicle reservations system is identified as a primary demand management strategy.
There have been concerns brought to our attention by some customers and community members about whether vehicle reservations can meet their needs. WSF is committed to addressing these concerns and will work with community and customer route-based partnerships before and during implementation to ensure the system is meeting customer needs.
Vehicle reservations are estimated to save the state of Washington $280 million in capital improvements, by avoiding the need to expand ferry terminals and holding areas to accommodate projected increases in vehicle traffic. Vehicle space during peak traffic times is WSF’s greatest constraint and creates demand for additional service and larger facilities. There is little capacity to support traffic increases in peak periods, especially in the summer, when a recreational traffic surge causes even greater capacity challenges.
Meanwhile, vehicle capacity is under-utilized during the off-season and non-commute periods. Because of a significant reduction in funding for terminal improvements, WSF is moving forward with vehicle reservations as a way to operate a high-quality service without the expense of expanding terminal facilities.
Some of the benefits associated with vehicle reservations include:
- Reduce or eliminate traffic congestion on roads leading to terminals
- Provide predictable and convenient travel
- Increase business in ferry-served communities
- Reduce air pollution from idling vehicles
- Save money by mitigating the need for terminal expansion and/or added service
- Reduce traffic control costs and holding area maintenance costs
WSF will test and refine the reservation system and its new features on the existing [reservation-served] routes before expanding to any other routes.
Existing WSF Vehicle Reservations System
Vehicle reservations have been successful on the Anacortes/Sidney, B.C. route for several years. More recently, WSF began taking vehicle reservations on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route in May 2008. WSF now takes more than 100,000 reservations per year, over 70 percent of which are customer generated online.
- July 2012 Port Townsend/Coupeville Partnership Group Analysis of Customer Input Survey Results (pdf 360 kb)
- January 2013 Analysis of Fall 2012 Customer Survey Results (pdf 337 kb)
- January 2013 Vehicle Reservations System Phase 1 Outcomes Report (pdf 660 kb)
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the vehicle reservation system save the state money?
The vehicle reservation system allows WSF to more efficiently utilize its boats and terminals instead of having to make expensive capital investments.
How will the vehicle reservation system benefit customers?
The vehicle reservation system will benefit customers by providing more predictable and convenient travel and significantly reducing wait times during peak periods.
How will the vehicle reservation system benefit ferry communities?
The vehicle reservation system will benefit ferry communities by reducing lines and congestion and pollution from idling vehicles around the terminals.
Will the vehicle reservation system be implemented on all routes?
Not all routes will have vehicle reservations. Currently, there is no plan to bring the vehicle reservation system to non-commercial customers on the following routes: Mukilteo/Clinton, Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth, and Point Defiance/Tahlequah.
How much is the vehicle reservation system costing the state?
The Legislature appropriated $5.7 million for a vehicle reservations system through fiscal year 2013. This money is part of a larger program totaling $15.9 million for the reservations system and associated traffic management projects to support the program. Funding for subsequent biennia must be approved by the Legislature.
Customer and Community Outreach
San Jan Islands commercial representatives – April 2012
Met with commercial representatives to discuss implementation schedule, options and system prototypes.
San Juan Islands – fall 2012
WSF convened a San Juan Islands customer group to discuss program policies, feasibility, implementation schedule and options. This group represents San Juan, Orcas, and Lopez islands and Anacortes. It is composed of customers and representatives from a broad spectrum of user groups, including tourism, business and the ferry advisory committee.
System-wide commercial representatives – 2013
Meet with commercial representatives across the system to discuss an expanded commercial reservation program.
For more information, contact Brian Churchwell, VRS Program Manager at 206-515-3645, or online at churchb@wsdot.wa.gov
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
Vehicle space during peak traffic times is WSF’s greatest constraint and creates demand for additional service and larger facilities.
I don’t know how reservations will change demand. Islanders will still need to use the ferries, businesses will still need to use the ferries, and tourists will either use the ferries or not come here.
Initially, I thought that the reservation system would be a good idea, but now have serious doubts. Islanders know how to use the ferries; businesses already get priority; some tourists never learn. I’m curious what others think the benefits might be.
We have spend hundreds of wasted hours waiting in line over the past fifteen years. This discussion has been underway for equally as long. When, as in what day, will be get this service?
I have used the Port Townsend/Coupeville route reservation system for all the years it has been in place and I love it. With a little planning and forethought you can get a reservation that relieves all the stress and anxiety of hoping you don’t get overloaded or irritation of having to waste so much time by arriving early and waiting for the ferry.
On a couple of occasions I was unable to get a reservation (all booked) or had a last minute change in plans to close to departure time to make a change to my reservation. The wait in the stand by line was no worse (and probably better) than the waits I have experienced waiting for the ferry to Orcas with no reservation. Prior to the implementation of the reservation system for Port Townsend/Coupeville route, I remember being overloaded for up to three runs years ago, during peak season, long before the reservation system was put in place.
I see no reason why a reservation system cannot be successfully implemented for the San Juan Islands’ routes and it can’t come soon enough as far as I’m concerned.
Locals who frequently use the ferries should be able to make reservations as well as commercial vehicles…having a time sensitive situation, and waiting in line for 2+ hours with tourists who have no time schedule, or missing the ferry and having to wait four hours for the next one…common experience, right? Don’t locals predominate in ferry use?
I have participated in the “WSF Partnership” group meetings for about a year now, and feel that plans for implementing the reservation system is being thoroughly researched, giving consideration to all aspects. The San Juan/Anacortes route is complex, compared to some of the other systems in place.
This article gives very little of the intense planning that has gone into this project so far.
I would hope that Brian Churchwell, program manager will publish more information on the implementing of the system.
The hope is that, in about a year, this system will be rolled out for all to benefit from.
I, personally, can’t wait. Can you imagine a world where you know you can get on that 8:50 ferry, and only have to arrive at 8:10? or, even better, get to the Anacortes terminal at 3:00 for the 3:35 ferry home….bliss.
Sign us up, immediately! We have used the Port Townsend/Coupeville reservation system for several years now. It works beautifully. We love it and agree with all of Becky Blackadar’s comments.
YES! A reservation system for the San Juan Islands is a VERY GOOD IDEA for all the above reasons and is way overdue. It is a far more sensible idea than spending money constructing ever larger terminals and expanding vehicle wait lines for frustrated ferry travelers to sit in for hours. Let’s do it!
I have utilized the commercial reservation system for Senior Center transportation. While it is quite helpful in reducing wait time, we have (almost every time we used the reservation) been charged for a “no show” fee. We are given a confirmation number which is provided to the ferry booth worker. This is how we get placed in the reservation line. However, if there is a breakdown on their end, we get charged. They have waived the fee a couple of times with proof provided we were, in fact, on the boat; but have recently advised they will no longer waive the fee whether it is our “fault” or not. Before they initiate further reservations, they need to make sure their process is working properly.