WSF weekly report includes progress report on service restoration

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

Service restoration update

Our latest Service Restoration Plan (PDF 794KB) Progress Report (PDF 640KB) shows that our Edmonds/Kingston route moved to a trial of pre-pandemic two-boat service levels on Sunday. Once the run meets or exceeds 95% reliability over a three-week period, the route will be considered fully restored. Reliability on our many of our routes, including those fully restored – Anacortes/San Juan Islands, Seattle/Bainbridge and Mukilteo/Clinton – temporarily decreased over the holidays because of a high number of vessel crew relief requests from winter weather travel challenges and increasing COVID-19 and flu cases.

Many of our employees braved snow, freezing rain, king tides and high winds over the holiday season to maintain our vital transportation service.

Colman slip change update

Due to electrical work at Colman Dock, our Bainbridge route will continue to temporarily use Slip 2 in Seattle until Monday, Jan. 9. On that day, the run will move back to Slip 1. Until this switch, all Bainbridge and Bremerton walk-ons must also continue to exit Colman Dock on the balcony along the north side of the new terminal building as crews perform concrete work on the south side. Please follow directions from our employees and sign up for rider alerts for updates as this timeline may adjust and for a slip change affecting our Bremerton route later this month.

Our Seattle/Bainbridge route is scheduled to move back to Slip 1 on Monday, Jan. 9. It’s temporarily operating out of Slip 2 due to construction.

2022 Year in Review

I’ll have our 2022 Year in Review in place of next week’s Weekly Update on Thursday, Jan. 12. I wish everyone a very happy and safe new year to come.

Virtual public meetings next week, Jan. 11 and 12

We’re hosting two virtual community meetings next week to provide updates and answer questions about our ferry system. At 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, and 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, our staff will discuss our service restoration progress, ongoing efforts to address workforce challenges as well as updates on key projects. Both meetings will cover the same material. Advanced registration is required. The day after each meeting, a video recording will be available online on our community participation webpage.

“[…] I was walking a friend of mine, Joe, to the Southworth terminal when he fell on the walkway. [Terminal Attendant] Nicole Martinez and her [Terminal Supervisor Wayne McFarland] immediately directed their full attention to helping my friend and administering first aid.

“The timing could not have been worse in that the Issaquah was just pulling into the ferry dock. While Nicole applied bandages to Joe’s injuries her supervisor radioed the Issaquah for a wheelchair. I was impressed with the calm, professional demeanor of Nicole and her supervisor.

“[…] Joe was carefully escorted on the ferry and was then assisted with fresh bandages by an Issaquah crewmember who had nursing experience. Once Joe got to Fauntleroy the terminal staff arranged for a taxi to pick Joe up at the terminal.

“Joe is a gentleman in his 90s who has some medical concerns. I was initially concerned about leaving him… but after watching the caring, professional actions of the WSDOT staff… I felt very comfortable. On behalf of Joe and myself, please convey our sincere thanks to everyone who helped.”

-Fauntleroy/Southworth customer