Compass Magazine
Long Range Plan
Marketing and Advertising
Vehicle Reservations System Planning
Fleet Guide
Operational Performance
Washington State Ferries has a number of planning efforts to deal with long-term sustainability, marketing, new programs, and capital facilities and vessel improvements. Listed below are current plans, programs, and statistics for the ferry system.
Compass Magazine
This limited-edition magazine commemorates the end of WSF's 60th anniversary.
Part 1 (PDF 3.3 MB)
Part 2 (PDF 1.3 MB)
Part 3 (PDF 4.9 MB)
Completed in 2009, the long-range plan presents a vision for the future of the ferry system and provides guidance for WSF's services and investments through 2030.
Learn more about advertising opportunities at WSF and marketing initiatives to improve customer service, transform the WSF brand, and rebuild ridership.
WSF is developing a new vehicle reservations system as way to reduce congestion around terminals, improve predictability and convenience of ferry service, and save the state of Washington millions by mitigating the need for terminal or service expansions.
WSF is moving forward to build new ferries to improve the safety and efficiency of WSF's fleet and provide safe, reliable service to our customers. Get updates on current vessel building activities.
WSF works with the U.S. Coast Guard to schedule vessel drydocking and maintenance to meet safety requirements and minimize impacts to our customers. Information on service impacts of scheduled maintenance, drydock, and inspection activities is available here.
Through innovative environmental programs and partnerships with maritime stakeholders, WSF is conserving fuel, reducing pollution and saving taxpayers' dollars. Learn more about WSF's environmental commitment and environmental programs.
WSDOT’s accountability challenge is to be a high performance organization credible and accountable to the Governor, Legislature, taxpayers, and transportation delivery partners across the state. The Ferries Division provides various reports that measure its performance and maintain transparency in its operations.
In step with making business information more accessible to the public, WSF posts ferry traffic and ridership statistics by route, passenger type, and vehicle type. Annual and quarterly reports starting in 2002 are available.
Route Statements and Analysis, Fiscal Years 2006-2011 (pdf 320 kb)
This document describes factors affecting the route statements for fiscal year 2011 (July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011), and contains information regarding cost, ridership, and revenue trends over the past six years. The route statements appearing after the analysis show ridership, revenue, and cost data for each route, culminating in a “farebox recovery ratio,” or what percentage of the route’s total costs are paid for by customer fares.
WSF is the nation's largest ferry system serving nearly 23 million riders and 10 million vehicles each year. Learn more about the ferry system and the important services it provides for Washington State and the Puget Sound Region.
WSDOT Ferries Division Fleet Guide (pdf 1.78 MB)
WSF operates the largest ferry fleet in the United States with twenty-three ferries. The Ferry Fleet Guide is designed to answer vessel specific questions we are most frequently asked about our fleet.
A Comparison of Operational Performance
This 2010 report uses operational characteristics to demonstrate where WSF ranks amongst peers in the ferry industry. It compares eight measures of performance related to transit service quality and cost-efficiency between WSF and 23 ferry operators worldwide.
Updated Report on Fuel Cost Mitigation Plan (pdf 330 kb)
This 2011 report represents an integrated set of strategies to improve WSDOT budget protocols and reduce the amount of exposure WSDOT has to fuel price volatility. The strategies are envisioned to work together to create a comprehensive fuel cost mitigation plan.