WSF weekly check-in: Virtual, route-specific meetings are coming up

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

Route-specific virtual community meetings

Mark your calendar! We’re hosting our semiannual series of virtual community meetings May 23 through June 7. The public is invited to join our staff during any of the six sessions with each geared toward a particular route. Participants will be able to ask questions and provide comments. Advanced registration is required.

Most of each meeting will be devoted to answering questions from participants. Attendees can also provide written public comment.

WSTC survey on possible ferry fare changes

As the lead on setting ferry fares, the Washington State Transportation Commission has launched its 2023-2025 ferry fare setting process. The public can provide feedback on different fare adjustment options that would begin this fall through the WSTC’s online survey until 5 p.m. Friday, June 9, or via email at transc@wstc.wa.gov. We will be discussing fares at Washington State Ferries’ upcoming virtual community meetings and collecting input on options we will present to the commission at their meeting in June. All input will help inform how passenger, vehicle and peak season fares could be adjusted to meet the state transportation budget’s updated revenue requirements.

2023 WTS International Annual Conference

The Women’s Transportation Seminar held their annual conference in Atlanta last week. It was great to network with others in transportation and hear about the successes and challenges at other agencies. During a panel discussion about creating diverse organizations, it was clear that we are leading the way in this area. The conference also reaffirmed for me how important training is – not just for new hires, but throughout the careers of all our employees. We must also think constantly about how our industry is changing and be proactive about the new skills staff will need with the ever-changing technological advances!

During a session about “Surviving the Silver Tsunami,” there was robust discussion on how to attract the various generations in the workforce into roles we need to fill.

Puget Sound Energy electrification partnership

We signed a partnership agreement with Puget Sound Energy last week to electrify eight of our terminals. That’s half of the docks we’re planning to retrofit as part of our electrification efforts. Construction kicks off in 2025 with our Bainbridge terminal. PSE is one of five utilities we’re partnering with as we transition to a hybrid-electric ferry system that will reduce greenhouse gases and improve local air quality.

Chief of Staff Nicole McIntosh and PSE Director of New Product Development Will Einstein, along with electrification teams from both agencies at the MOU signing.

Anacortes/San Juan Islands route schedule update process begins

A 26-member community task force that will provide advice and recommendations on Anacortes/San Juan Islands route schedule changes will meet for the first time tonight. This begins a process that includes broad community engagement. The route’s schedule needs to be updated to improve on-time performance and reliability, and to align with the vehicle reservations program that started in 2015. Current timetables have not been updated in 10-15 years. Members of the public are invited to listen in to the task force meeting on Zoom. Prior registration is required.

“[…] I rode the ferry as a ‘scoot on’ passenger as I am on a knee scooter for a broken ankle. When Ashley [Kelly, ordinary sailor] saw me getting on the boat she made sure the ramp was lowered enough for me to safely get on the boat. Then when I was seated she [came] over and let me know she let the crew know to keep the ramp level for me to easily disembark the boat. She went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure the ferry was safe and accessible for me. I really appreciated her care, concern, and courtesy. Her thoughtfulness made my day and made for a wonderful ferry trip.”

-Seattle/Bainbridge customer