Date:
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Contact:
Marta Coursey, WSF Communications Director, (206) 515-3918; Susan Harris-Huether, WSF Customer Information, (206) 515-3460
SEATTLE - Washington State Ferries (WSF) begins passenger-only ferry service on the Port Townsend/Keystone route on Sunday, November 25, with the 3:45 p.m. sailing out of Port Townsend and 4:30 p.m. sailing out of Keystone. The 149-passenger M/V Snohomish will keep the current schedule on Monday, November 26, but starting Tuesday, November 27, the schedule will be adjusted slightly to better connect with Island Transit services at Keystone. A revised schedule will be available on Monday afternoon on the website and at both terminals. The Snohomish is not expected to be impacted by tides.
The passenger fares will remain the same on this route, $2.60 one-way full fare. Wave2Go multi-ride cards are also accepted. The terminal holding lanes on either end of the route will serve as "park and ride lots" for passengers.
The Port Townsend/Keystone route has been without service since the last sailing on November 20. "We are doing everything we can to make this easier on the traveling public and the communities we serve," said WSDOT Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond.
To better serve passengers during this time, WSF is coordinating with regional transit providers to help riders set-up temporary vanpools and other services. Customers on Whidbey Island can call Island Transit at (360) 321-6688 ext. 3 (or toll free at 800-240-8747) to set up a temporary vanpool. Other transit agencies can help customers discuss their options, including Jefferson Transit (800-371-0497) and Kitsap Transit (800-501-7433).
Other measures have also been put in place to lessen the affects of the loss of vehicle service on the Port Townsend-Keystone route. These include:.
� All pre-paid tickets for the Port Townsend-Keystone route (including multi-ride cards) will continue to be honored on the Mukilteo/Clinton and Edmonds/Kingston route.
� Working with individual commuters to determine the easiest most cost-effective way to commute during this time. Customers can call 1-888-808-7977 and ask to be transferred to extension 3460 for assistance.
Background
Washington State Ferries owns four 80-year-old Steel Electric class vessels - Quinault, Klickitat, Illahee and Nisqually. These vessels predominantly serve the Port Townsend/Keystone and San Juan Islands inter-island routes. They are the only ferries in the system capable of operating in Keystone's narrow and shallow harbor.
On Tuesday, November 21, Hammond announced that Washington State Ferries would pull all Steel Electric class vessels out of service due to concerns about their safety. Ongoing work on the Quinault revealed significant hull pitting along the keel that likely extends to all four Steel Electric vessels.
"Our first priority is to assess the full range of hull pitting in each vessel and determine the extent and the cost of needed repairs. Depending on what is found, the next step will be repair or retirement of the Steel Electrics," Hammond said.
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