Ferries pass on a crossing between Mukilteo and Whidbey Island in August. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Ferries pass on a crossing between Mukilteo and Whidbey Island in August. (Andy Bronson / Herald file)

Speak up and listen up at virtual ferry community meetings

Officials will give updates on ferry delays and the alternate service plan.

MUKILTEO — Here’s a chance to vent to someone other than the ferry ticket takers and deckhands who have already heard it all.

Washington State Ferries is hosting virtual community meetings to provide updates and answer questions about the system.

The meetings are 6 p.m. Jan. 5 and 1 p.m. Jan. 11.

Ferry officials will discuss the system’s service and ongoing efforts to mitigate challenges as well as progress on key projects. Both meetings will cover the same material.

The pandemic has caused challenges for ferry workers and riders. Crew shortages have led to reduced sailings on a regular basis and also on short notice. Riders on the busy Edmonds-Kingston and Mukilteo-Clinton routes have endured waits of several hours during non-peak times when sailings are reduced to one-boat service.

Just how long will this go on?

Find out at the meeting.

The year-old Mukilteo terminal, which won building design awards in 2021, offers a scenic place for walk-ons to wait inside, with seating, charging stations and vending machines. The new holding area for cars has restroom facilities. An outside food vendor has been delayed. A perk of the expanded wait is that riders have time to walk to Ivar’s Fish Bar by the old holding area, or to stroll the promenade by the sea.

The ferry folks hold virtual meetings several times a year to get input and offer updates.

Participants can comment and ask questions. Registration is required to participate.

The day after each meeting, a video recording will be online.

More at wsdot.wa.gov/travel/washington-state-ferries/about-us/community-participation

Andrea Brown: abrown@heraldnet.com; 425-339-3443. Twitter @reporterbrown.

Talk to us

More in Local News

Angelica Montanari and daughter Makena, 1, outside of the Community Health Center of Snohomish County Everett-Central Clinic on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Providers at Community Health Center of Snohomish County vote to form a union

Providers expressed hope for improving patient care and making their voices heard with management.

Granite Falls
Two suspects charged in motorhome shooting near Granite Falls

Bail was set at $2 million for each of the suspects, Dillon Thomas, 28 and David Koeppen, 37.

Logo for news use, for stories regarding Washington state government — Olympia, the Legislature and state agencies. No caption necessary. 20220331
Supreme Court rules state’s new capital gains tax is legal

The 7-2 ruling clears the way for collection of payments starting next month. The tax is expected to bring in $500 million a year.

NO CAPTION NECESSARY: Logo for the Cornfield Report by Jerry Cornfield. 20200112
A thumbs up for capital gains, kind words for the Senate budget

It’s Day 75. Here’s what’s happening in the 2023 session of the Washington Legislature

A residential home is demolished at what will be the site of a new Lake Stevens Library on Wednesday, March 22, 2023 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Sophia Gates / The Herald).
Site clearing begins for new Lake Stevens library

The initial work on Chapel Hill property brings dream of a new library closer to reality.

Rep. June Robinson, D-38
Schools, housing, salaries score big in Senate Dems $70B budget

The proposed spending plan also spends money to fight climate change, help abortion providers and study police pursuits

Dr. J. Matthew Lacy, Chief Medical Examiner for Snohomish County, answers preliminary questions from the state regarding his qualifications and experience as a medical examiner during the trial of Richard Rotter on Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Snohomish County Superior Court in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
At Rotter trial, debate breaks out over graphic autopsy photos

A judge ruled some close-ups of Everett officer Dan Rocha’s injuries could be used, while others were ruled out.

In this side-by-side image, the Totem Diner and Pacific Stone Company signs put on a flirty display for all to see Wednesday, March 22, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Signs of love on Rucker Ave: blushing rocks, scrambled eggs, a coffee date

Messages on display on Totem Family Diner and Pacific Stone Co. signs reveal “secret crushes.” More updates expected.

Brenda Mann Harrison
Encounters with a tow truck driver and a dentist

The value of local journalism shows up in unexpected conversations.

Most Read