MUKILTEO — Get into the know before you go.
The first of six Washington State Ferries virtual meetings to update riders and answer questions on Tuesday will address the Mukilteo-Clinton and Port Townsend-Coupeville routes.
The meetings run through June 7. The Edmonds-Kingston route is the focus on June 1.
Topics include service restoration, new vessels and proposed fare changes.
The ferry system is holding the public meetings ahead of peak summer sailings, when waits get long and tempers can get short.
Ferry traffic has rebounded since the pandemic, when sailings were decreased, often due to crew shortages. Galleys were closed, riders were told to remain in their cars and stay-home orders kept people home.
Now, people are back to riding the ferry for fun and travel. Youth 18 and under ride free.
Even with two-boat service restored on the Mukilteo and Edmonds routes, riders need to pack patience and snacks. Bring a jacket, too, to enjoy a breeze from the deck.
“We’re excited to be hosting meetings for all of our routes to hear from each of our ferry-served communities,” agency head Patty Rubstello said in a news release. “We’re looking forward to hearing from ferry riders, partners and other interested parties.”
Meetings will start at 6 p.m. with a brief presentation on systemwide topics then cover route-specific topics. Most of the time will be devoted to answering questions from participants. Attendees can provide written public comment during and after the meeting.
Also, the Washington State Transportation Commission has an online survey until June 9 for opinions on adjustment options of passenger, vehicle and peak season fares at transc@wstc.wa.gov. The ferry fare revenue requirement set by the Legislature in the 2023-25 Transportation Budget is $418.6 million.
After each meeting, a recording will be available online.
■ Other route-specific meetings are:
■ Seattle-Bainbridge, May 25.
■ San Juan Islands-Anacortes, May 31.
■ Seattle-Bremerton, June 6.
■ Point Defiance-Tahlequah and Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth, June 7.
Preregistration is required to participate. More at wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.
Andrea Brown: 425-339-3443; abrown@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterbrown.
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