Jetty Island: 7-day-a-week service?
Published 11:04 pm Monday, October 6, 2008
EVERETT — Jetty Island ferry service saw its busiest year ever in 2008, and business could pick up even more next summer with the addition of a seventh day of service.
A record 34,216 people this year boarded Queen’s Launch, the island’s passenger ferry, after service was expanded from five to six days. That’s an average of 744 people a day for every day the ferry operates.
In 2009, the city is looking at adding a seventh day of ferry service during the summer months, which would mean Tuesday service.
The Everett City Council is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a new contract with Argosy Cruises of Seattle, which operates the ferry.
The $101,125 contract includes an option for Tuesday service. The extra 15 days will cost an extra $14,000.
Parks Director Paul Kaftanski said people interviewed in city surveys asked for expanded service to Jetty Island. He said whether the city adds a day will depend on the city’s 2009 budget, which is expected to be released later this month.
With its warm, shallow water and long sandy beaches, Jetty Island is among the city’s most popular summertime attractions.
The Port of Everett owns the two-mile-long, man-made island and allows the city of Everett to operate it as a park from July 5 to Labor Day.
As part of the expanded service, the city may ask the port for permission to begin offering service as early as July 1.
People also left more donations for the ferry service in 2008 than any other year, Kaftanski said.
“People are opening their hearts via their change purse to keep this service going and we’re really appreciative of that,” he said.
People donated $12,616 for the service in 2008. That’s up from $10,621 in 2007 and just $600 and change from 2006.
Reporter David Chircop: 425-339-3429 or dchircop@heraldnet.com.
@4. OT ByNumbers hedder:Jetty Island’s numbers
34,216: ferry passengers in 2008
46: days of service in 2008
62: proposed days of service in 2009
$600: passengers’ donations in 2006
$12,616: passengers’ donations in 2008
$101,125: approximate cost for ferry service in 2009
