||| FROM PATTY RUBSTELLO for WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES |||
Gov. Jay Inslee tours Kaleetan on way to Lopez Island
While travelling from Anacortes to Lopez Island, Gov. Jay Inslee talked to some of our employees aboard Kaleetan on Tuesday. State Rep. Alex Ramel, whose legislative district includes the San Juan Islands, Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole McIntosh and Director of Operations Steve Nevey accompanied him around the boat as crewmembers explained what it takes to become a licensed deck officer. Gov. Inslee then met the crew in the engine room, who led him on a tour below deck and showed him how a telegraph is used to communicate a change in speed or direction from the wheelhouse to the engine room.
Gov. Jay Inslee with Alternate Staff Chief Engineer Chad Scott in the Kaleetan engine room.
Discussion with governor on our electrification efforts
Our work to electrify our ferry system was the focus of a public meeting with Gov. Jay Inslee yesterday. WSDOT Deputy Secretary Amy Scarton gave an overview of our efforts and System Electrification Program Administrator Matt von Ruden outlined our progress and initiatives. Oiler Devon Baxter was also on hand for a crewmember’s perspective. The Washington State Department of Commerce’s maritime industry sector lead and the CEO of Glosten, a marine design and engineering firm, also participated by providing insight into innovations in decarbonizing ferry transport. Watch an online recording of the meeting, which was the latest in the governor’s Results Washington Public Performance Reviews.
With Director of Finance and Administration Todd Lamphere, Major Construction Communications Manager Suanne Pelley, Oiler Devon Baxton, Gov. Jay Inslee, WSDOT Deputy Secretary Amy Scarton, System Electrification Program Administrator Matt von Ruden and Chief Sustainability Officer Kevin Bartoy following the meeting.
Week Without Driving
About one in four people in Washington can’t drive – people with disabilities, youth, seniors and those who can’t afford cars or gas. Taking public transit like our ferries, riding a bike, walking, carpooling or paying for a rideshare aren’t options for them, they’re necessities! To learn first-hand what life is like without a car and support options for non-drivers, I encourage you to sign up and participate in Disability Rights Washington’s third annual Week Without Driving challenge from Oct. 2-8!
For the first time, Disability Rights Washington has partnered with America Walks for a National Week Without Driving.
Fare changes begin Sunday, Oct. 1
You may notice changes in our fares in the new month. On Sunday, Oct. 1, the Washington State Transportation Commission’s rate changes go into effect. It’s also the first day with no peak season surcharge for vehicles, which will resume May 1, 2024. Use our online calendar to calculate your fares for the days you’ll be traveling.
Walk-ons to use car deck at Bainbridge terminal, Oct. 2-4
Plan for possible midday boarding and offloading delays at our Bainbridge terminal Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 2-4. After the 10:25 a.m. departure on those days, all walk-on passengers will be loaded and unloaded via the car deck for roughly 4 hours. During that time, the overhead walkway will be closed for maintenance. The walkway will be closed again for four full weekdays in mid-October so crews can install a new mechanical system for the moveable portion of the new overhead walkway.
Overnight lane closures on SR 305 approaching Bainbridge terminal
There will be intermittent lane closures on southbound State Route 305 just outside our Bainbridge terminal for the next three Saturday nights. Between 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. our WSDOT maintenance crews will update signage and refresh pavement markings at the Winslow Way and Harborview Drive intersections. Work began this past Saturday and is expected to wrap up the morning of Sunday, Oct. 14.
Seattle Sounders flags with new team crest fly on downtown vessels
We proudly flew flags with the new crest and colors of the Seattle Sounders FC on all our ferries that serve Colman Dock in downtown Seattle yesterday. On Tuesday, the team unveiled its new “Eternally Yours” branding to celebrate the club’s upcoming 50th anniversary in 2024. The Sounders play their final two home matches of the 2023 season on Wednesday, Oct. 4, and Saturday, Oct. 7. Go Sounders!
So how does any of this improve breakdowns and cancelled sailings?
There is substantial unintended irony in this press release. Governor Inslee, who has decreed that henceforth all ferries must be electric, needs to be shown how an engine room telegraph works.
Unmentioned in the release is that a major cause of the ferry staffing shortage was his unconstitutional vaccine mandate applicable to all WSDOT employees, which led to a mass exodus of experienced and senior crew. https://www.thecentersquare.com/washington/article_c3d9faa4-24a5-11ed-a054-37b622da5f48.html.
Extra points for Inslee wearing a mask after his third infection with Covid.