WSF weekly report with forewarning about high tides next week

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

Mukilteo/Clinton route moves to restored service stage of restoration process Monday, May 16

I’m pleased to report that our Mukilteo/Clinton route will move to two-boat restored service (Stage 4) in our Service Restoration Plan starting Monday, May 16. This week’s Plan Progress Report shows the run has consistently achieved 95% reliability over the last three weeks, so we’ve decided to consider the route fully restored. Our Anacortes/San Juan Islands and Seattle/Bainbridge runs are also operating on typical spring schedules. With COVID-19 cases on the rise though, our reliability – along with many transportation agencies around the world – may temporarily decrease in the weeks ahead due to rising relief requests among our crews.

Nine new oilers completed training this week. Here they are getting hands-on engine familiarization with Staff Chief Engineer Eric Haynes and Chief Engineer Chad Scott.

Once COVID-19 relief requests begin to decline and staffing increases to levels adequate to provide reliable service, we will begin trial service (Stage 3) on our Edmonds/Kingston route. Until then, most runs are operating alternate service (Stage 2). I know the alternate service schedules are extremely challenging for many of our riders. Please know that we continue to actively recruit, hire and train new employees, but with U.S. Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security credentialing for vessel positions, and the significant amount of time needed to train for licensed deck positions, it will take time to restore service across our system.

Hosting state senators at Bremerton terminal

I hosted two state senators at our Bremerton terminal last week to discuss funding for state ferries in the Move Ahead Washington bill. That includes $1.5 billion to help stabilize our operations and money for our electrification efforts. Sen. Marko Liias, chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, and Sen. Emily Randall, who represents much of southern Kitsap County, stopped by during a tour of transit projects in the 26th legislative district. Thank you both for your support!

Sens. Emily Randall and Marko Liias with me at the Bremerton Transportation Center.

Colman Dock’s Marion Street exit to reopen Thursday, May 19

The Marion Street vehicle and bicycle exit at our Seattle terminal is scheduled to reopen Thursday, May 19. The exit was closed in October 2020 so our Colman Dock project could construct our new concrete trestle, and for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to repave Alaskan Way and build new sidewalks. This reopening will improve loading and offloading times for both our Bremerton and Bainbridge vessels.

When the Marion Street exit reopens, people driving or biking who are arriving from Bainbridge will exit at Marion. Bremerton will continue to use Yesler Way. You can turn left, right or go straight at both exits.

With the return of two vehicle exits at our Seattle terminal, vehicles and bicycles may depart at either exit when there’s only one vessel at Colman that’s loading or unloading. Please follow directions from terminal attendants who will direct you to the correct exit when unloading. If using the Marion exit, follow the SDOT traffic signal before navigating through the intersection. SDOT is working on Alaskan Way and crews may intermittently close the Marion exit or reduce outbound traffic to one lane. Sign up for rider alerts or check our @wsferries Twitter page for updates on this construction and the exact reopening date.

National Maritime Day

Sunday, May 22, is National Maritime Day and in honor of the event, I thank all our mariners in the WSF family for their hard work and dedication to safely moving people across the Salish Sea every day. In addition to our vessel crews, you’ll find our mariners amongst our land-based teams, such as our terminals, Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility and in our administrative offices. And a special shout out to all the women in maritime as we celebrate the inaugural International Day for Women in Maritime on Wednesday, May 18! I’m very proud to be a part of a team that keeps the region’s maritime tradition alive and strong!

Several of our terminal engineering and Eagle Harbor Maintenance Facility employees are touring all our terminals this month as they confirm work plans for each terminal. Here they are at our Shaw Island terminal.

Next Weekly Update will be Thursday, May 26

There will be no Weekly Update on Thursday, May 19, as I will be attending the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Annual Conference next week. I look forward to sharing my experience there with you in our next Weekly Update on Thursday, May 26!

New ORCA card system begins Monday, May 16

If you use an ORCA card for your ferry fare, change is coming Monday, May 16, with the launch of a new website and mobile app to access your account. Don’t worry, your current card will still work, and you will not lose any balance in your account. But if you want to add value or passes online, you’ll need to create a new account by registering your current card at myorca.com or on the smartphone app. Also, any existing autoloads will expire and you’ll need to set them up in your new account. You can still add cash to your card at vending machines, customer service locations and participating retailers.

During transition to the new system this weekend, fares will not be collected on most of the region’s transit systems between 3 a.m. Saturday, May 14, and 2:29 a.m. Monday, May 16. For our ferries, customers who walk on or are a passenger in a vehicle will not be charged but will need to show their ORCA card to attendants. Vehicle-driver fares will still be required. Following the transition, please be patient as it may take time to work out some kinks in the new system. Big shout out to all at WSF who worked on our internal efforts for this transition.

Fauntleroy terminal project community meetings

Want to learn more about our recent planning progress and what replacement alternatives we’re considering for our Fauntleroy terminal? We’re hosting two virtual community meetings and an online open house, where you’ll also be able to share your thoughts. Advanced registration is required for the noon to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 24, and 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, webinars. Both meetings will cover the same information. The week after the webinars, a video recording will be available on the project webpage. The online open house will be available at engage.wsdot.wa.gov from May 18 through June 13.

Vehicle restrictions on some routes due to extreme tides

Many of you are aware that tides cause monthly sailing cancellations on our Port Townsend/Coupeville route and vehicle restrictions on our Vashon Island runs. But did you know that on rare occasions, extreme low tides cause us to have steep vehicle loading ramps on our Mukilteo/Clinton route as well? If driving a longer vehicle, or one with low ground clearance or long rear overhangs on or off Vashon or Whidbey islands, be sure to check our low tide warnings page before you go!

Sign installation work at Vashon terminal

Our maintenance crews will be installing new electronic signs at our Vashon terminal to help manage traffic. On Thursday, May 19, they’ll need to close one of the two inbound lanes from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., requiring Fauntleroy-bound traffic to be held on Vashon Highway Southwest and Southworth-bound traffic on 103rd Avenue Southwest. This work is weather dependent.