Kitsap Transit’s third fast ferry route opens from Southworth to Seattle

Kitsap Transit’s newest fast ferry had its inaugural sailing Saturday, making the trip between Southworth and Seattle in just 26 minutes.

Kitsap passenger ferry doubling service to meet demand

“It’s pretty fast, that’s for sure. But it went well. I’m glad that the community turned out for the first ride, so it’s pretty exciting,” John Clausen, Kitsap Transit’s executive director, told KIRO 7 TV.

While the approximate crossing time is 26 minutes, Kitsap Transit does note that the crossing time will be shorter or longer in some cases depending on dock availability. Regular service on the Southworth route began Monday, between Southworth Ferry Terminal and Seattle’s Pier 50.

Rides will be free through the end of April, and the usual COVID-19 precautions will be in place. Capacity is limited to 60 passengers in order to ensure social distancing.

This is the third fast ferry route from Kitsap to Seattle, adding to sailings from Bremerton and Kingston.

A ballot proposition for a dedicated sales tax to support Kitsap Transit’s plan for passenger-only ferry service to downtown Seattle from Bremerton, Kingston, and Southworth was approved in 2016. The Bremerton/Seattle route started in July 2017, followed by Kingston/Seattle in November 2018.

Fares are payable with exact cash or ORCA E-purse. Monthly passes can be purchased for round trips. No food or beverages are sold aboard the fast ferries, and passengers are not allowed to eat in the cabin.

Puget Sound traffic on major routes is nearing return to pre-pandemic levels

You may recall that the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) recently completed a study on the feasibility of passenger-only ferry service around the Puget Sound. The Legislature wanted to know if expanding this type of service makes sense, so the study examined 45 potential routes across 12 counties to determine demand, potential environmental issues, costs, and obstacles.

Gil Cerise, program manager in the transportation policy division of PSRC, told KIRO Radio’s Chris Sullivan that people are watching what Kitsap Transit has done with passenger-only ferry service, and they like what they are seeing. Pre-pandemic, there were more than 35,000 riders a month between Bremerton and Seattle, and Kingston and Seattle.

“As these routes have been implemented and people are seeing the successes of those routes, it’s generated interest, not just in our region but across Puget Sound,” Cerise said.

The PSRC’s study found seven feasible routes: Tacoma to Seattle, Whidbey Island to Everett, Kenmore to the UW, Kirkland to UW, Renton to UW, Renton to South Lake Union, and Bellingham to Friday Harbor on a seasonal basis. There are certainly obstacles with these routes as well, but it’s up the Legislature to decide what it wants to do with the information from the study.