Holiday ferry riders should prepare for long waits, check schedules
Dec 23, 2021, 5:08 PM
The front of the "Puyallup" ferry in Washington. (MyNorthwest photo)
(MyNorthwest photo)
If you’re planning to take a ferry this holiday season, be sure to keep a close eye on sailing schedules.
The Washington State Department of Transportation says due to an ongoing staff shortage, the Seattle/Bainbridge Island, Edmonds/Kingston, and Mukilteo/Clinton routes will remain on one-boat service, with a second boat added daily as crewing availability allows.
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“Because of our recent hiring efforts and new crewing agreements with our labor partners, we’ve been able to add service nearly every day over the past month on our central Sound routes and operate a full four-boat fall schedule on our Anacortes/San Juan Islands run, but challenges remain,” said Patty Rubstello, head of Washington State Ferries, in a news release. “I encourage riders to sign up for our rider alerts to receive an update each night and morning on what schedule we’re operating on each route.”
Sign-up for rider alerts here, and check terminal conditions here before you go.
Most ferry routes switched to alternate service schedules on Oct. 16 in order to avoid last-minute cancellations due to a lack of available crew members. The staffing shortage, WSF clarifies, is due to many variables, including a global shortage of mariners exacerbated by the pandemic, an aging workforce, and COVID-19 cases and quarantines.
For the upcoming holiday weekends, expect long waits on most runs. Since Christmas and New Year’s Day are on Saturday this year, the busiest days are expected to be the Thursday and Friday before, and the Sunday after each holiday.
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On Friday, Dec. 24, and Friday, Dec. 31, the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth ferry route will operate on a Saturday timetable. All routes will operate on a typical Saturday schedule for Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
If you have to drive to the ferry via a state highway, expect travel backups and delays. Check real-time traffic information on the WSDOT travel map.
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