Latest news with #WashingtonStateFerrySystem
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Summer ferry schedule about to set sail
The Washington State Ferry System is adding more boats to the fleet this summer. This is part of the updated seasonal ferry schedule to make sure everyone gets where they need to go. They say the main goal is to make the ferries accessible for everyone, meaning with the extra service, people won't have to wait in line for these ferries nearly as long. Right now, there are 15 ferries in service, and soon that number will jump to 18 during the summer months. In total, WSF has 21 operational ferries, but the last three are only rotated in if another ferry is broken. Dana Warr with WSF said the additional Bremerton ferry service begins June 15, the 'Triangle' gets a third boat on June 30, and the Port Townsend/Coupeville line will have increased service every weekend starting July 4. Warr tells us the International Ferry Route to Canada is also in the works, but that won't be in the water until 2030. 'That's very exciting very good news because the less you have to wait the better it is the better your day is,' ferry passenger Kathy Burke said. This is returning the ferry service to almost full capacity, three years ahead of schedule. 'We understand the struggles that the community and people working have had trying to get back and forth we are excited to bring more boats in,' Warr said. Some ferry riders, like Marshall, tell us they see a lot of delays and cancellations. 'We wait all the time, especially for the islands, going out to Friday Harbor, that's the big one. You really have to know your schedules and holidays, anything like that that might be happening,' Marshall said. Burke tells us the increased service will make traveling much easier. 'It's just something you learn to live with when you use the ferries and live in Washington,' Burke said. There can always be unexpected interruptions, so even with the increased service, make sure to check the ferry schedule before you go.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
A smart investment in Oregon's future: the Frog Ferry
A view of the Willamette River in Portland. The Frog Ferry would have up to nine stops for passengers from Oregon City to Vancouver. (Photo by Lynne Terry/Oregon Capital Chronicle) As Oregon legislators craft this year's transportation package, there's one project that deserves serious attention because it makes good sense. The Frog Ferry is ready to launch, and it's a commonsense transportation alternative. To be clear, the Frog Ferry wouldn't stop in my rural community in Pendleton, Oregon. But I served as the executive director for the Port of Portland and the director and CEO of the Washington State Ferry System, and I've learned a lot about what it takes to move people and goods efficiently. I also understand the importance of making smart transportation investments. This isn't about Portland vs. the rest of Oregon — it's about recognizing innovative solutions that work for the whole state. The Frog Ferry has the potential to ease congestion, drive economic activity, and connect our region more efficiently using infrastructure that already exists — our rivers. Earth Day is this week. As we reflect on how to build a more sustainable future, it's worth asking: what if our waterways could once again become part of the solution? The Willamette River is underutilized as a transportation corridor. By tapping into it, we're not only addressing our traffic woes, we're taking meaningful steps to reduce carbon emissions, shrink our environmental footprint, and promote a cleaner commute. Ferry service offers a low-emission, high-efficiency way to get people where they need to go — and it helps us meet climate goals without reinventing the wheel. We've all heard the frustration: the system is strained. Our roads are clogged. Productivity is lost every day in traffic. That's not just an urban inconvenience — it's a statewide drag on our economy. If there's a solution that can relieve pressure on Interstate 5 and Interstate 84, support our workforce, and strengthen regional connections, we owe it to Oregonians to explore it. The Frog Ferry team has done the groundwork. They've secured federal interest, completed feasibility studies, and built strong public-private partnerships. The vision is clear: a passenger ferry service that connects commuters and tourists to downtown Portland while bypassing the worst traffic choke points. And crucially, this isn't just a local amenity. A functioning ferry system in the Portland metro area reinforces the entire state's economic engine and resilience. Having led similar initiatives in Washington, I can say with confidence that our neighbors to the north are scratching their heads as to why Oregon hasn't moved forward on such a common-sense idea. Nationally recognized ferry experts are cheering this on — and so should we. We cannot afford to keep doing the same things and expect different results. It's time to embrace forward-thinking solutions like the Frog Ferry. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
