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.

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

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