WSF report from the week

||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||

Washington State Transportation Commission meeting

Several ferry-related topics were covered during the Washington State Transportation Commission meeting this week. Key findings from this year’s Ferry Riders Opinion Group survey were presented. More than 6,000 ferry riders provided feedback regarding their travel behavior and frequency between June and September.

Director of Finance and Administration Todd Lamphere shares the latest ferry revenue forecast during Tuesday’s meeting.

The Commission, which sets our fares, was also presented with survey results from last month’s online public input forum on a possible ferry fuel surcharge to help cover the increasing cost of gas. This surcharge has been a possible funding tool available to the state since 2011 in the event fuel budgets fall short. The findings will help Commission members in discussions on future ferry fuel funding needs during the upcoming 2023 legislative session.

Marriage proposal on our Edmonds/Kingston route

There was a very special moment aboard Puyallup on Sunday – a surprise wedding proposal! Simrun Chhabra had a cousin drive her and her partner Savanna Steele onto the 11:55 a.m. Edmonds to Kingston sailing to go to a holiday market in Port Gamble. Meanwhile, she had family and friends walk on and line up in the passenger cabin. They passed out flowers as the couple walked by after coming upstairs from the car deck. Simrun then dropped on one knee and proposed. Savanna said yes! Congratulations to Savanna and Simrun!

Simrun Chhabra proposes to partner Savanna Steele in the Puyallup passenger cabin on Sunday. Photo courtesy Hannah Sabio-Howell.

Happy holidays from the Active Ferry Employees Charitable Trust!

The Active Ferry Employees Charitable Trust is unfortunately unable to host its annual Holiday Cruise for People with Disabilities for a third year in a row because of the COVID-19 pandemic. AFECT continues to fulfill its mission to provide temporary assistance to fellow WSF employees who are in need due to unforeseen circumstances. Thanks to all our employee volunteers!

We hope to welcome guests from residential facilities again next year for a holiday ferry ride that many of our employees donate their time to.

Virtual public meetings, Jan. 11 and 12

Save the date! We’re hosting two virtual community meetings in January 2023 to engage and update those we serve. The meetings will take place at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, and 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12. Both meetings will cover the same material. Participants will be able to ask questions and provide comments. Advanced registration is required.

Holiday ferry photos 

Rep. Dave Paul shared this photo with us from one of his recent ferry rides saying, “Always enjoy running into friends on Washington State Ferries.” Share your holiday ferry photos with us on Twitter, Facebook or by email. Happy holidays!

“Your staff member Judy [Relief Able-Bodied Sailor Judith Kuney] who was working on the Port Townsend ferry Thursday October 20 is a star. She went above and beyond to help us. My wife and I and our dog were on a day trip from British Columbia. As we often do, we left our car at the Keystone terminal and went as foot passengers on the 10:15 ferry to Port Townsend to photograph seabirds.

“We got back on the 11:00 ferry to return to our car. The ferry had steering problems and returned to Port Townsend and was going to be out of commission for the [foreseeable] future – with no backup ferry!!! We were stranded with no easy way to get back to our car.

“Judy offered to drive us back to Keystone if we waited until the end of her shift at 1:30. She did this which took 5 hours and included 2 ferry trips. Then she had to return. And she would not accept any money. What a kind, wonderful person she is.”

-Port Townsend/Coupeville customer