Posted on Mar 3, 2023
Washington ferries still floating back to pre-pandemic service levels
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Washington state's ferry system now has four of its eight routes back to pre-pandemic service levels.
But not the Anacortes to Sidney, B.C., run. The state's only international route won't be back until 2030 at the earliest. Only one ferry boat is certified to make that trip, and that vessel is needed in Puget Sound in the meantime.
"To sail internationally, and that's our only international route, you need specialized equipment on the boat," said Ian Sterling, spokesperson for Washington State Ferries. "We only have one boat now, the Chelan, that is allowed to make that run, and we need that boat for domestic service,"
"It's a great route, it's our longest route, it's arguably our prettiest route, but it's not a route that gets a lot of ridership compared to the core Puget Sound routes. If you talk to people in Anacortes and the San Juan Islands, they want to see that service operating normally rather than going up to Canada, which is nice to have, but it's not a 'have-to-have' at this time."
But not the Anacortes to Sidney, B.C., run. The state's only international route won't be back until 2030 at the earliest. Only one ferry boat is certified to make that trip, and that vessel is needed in Puget Sound in the meantime.
"To sail internationally, and that's our only international route, you need specialized equipment on the boat," said Ian Sterling, spokesperson for Washington State Ferries. "We only have one boat now, the Chelan, that is allowed to make that run, and we need that boat for domestic service,"
"It's a great route, it's our longest route, it's arguably our prettiest route, but it's not a route that gets a lot of ridership compared to the core Puget Sound routes. If you talk to people in Anacortes and the San Juan Islands, they want to see that service operating normally rather than going up to Canada, which is nice to have, but it's not a 'have-to-have' at this time."
Washington ferries still floating back to pre-pandemic service levels
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State of Washington
Travel
State of Washington Travel
Posted 1 y ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Ferry routes recover, but some still waiting
As for other ferry routes, the busy Edmonds-Kingston run resumed its two-boat service last month after many months with a single ferry.
The "triangle route" (Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth) will be back to three-boat weekday service this spring.
Meanwhile, Bremerton riders will have to wait until the fall before it gets two boats back for its connection to Seattle.
Port Townsend and Coupeville will have to wait until next year to regain service last seen before the pandemic."
..."Ferry routes recover, but some still waiting
As for other ferry routes, the busy Edmonds-Kingston run resumed its two-boat service last month after many months with a single ferry.
The "triangle route" (Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth) will be back to three-boat weekday service this spring.
Meanwhile, Bremerton riders will have to wait until the fall before it gets two boats back for its connection to Seattle.
Port Townsend and Coupeville will have to wait until next year to regain service last seen before the pandemic."
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel good day Brother William, always informational and of the most interesting. Thanks for sharing, have a blessed day!
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