Date:  Friday, December 14, 2007

Contact: Susan Harris-Huether, Customer Information Manager, (206) 515-3460

New shuttle service announced from the Keystone
Ferry Terminal to historic downtown Coupeville

(Seattle) Washington State Ferries (WSF) is teaming with Island Transit to offer shuttle service from the Keystone ferry terminal to downtown Coupeville.The shuttle is timed to meet the arrival of the Port Townsend-Keystone passenger-only ferry. When the ferry arrives, Island Transit's holiday shuttle will carry customers to the historic village of Coupeville free of charge, Monday-Saturday from 9:35 a.m. to 5:35 p.m.

The new Coupeville shuttle service was added at the suggestion of Senator Mary-Margaret Haugen, D-Camano Island and Coupeville Mayor Nancy Conard who want to help Whidbey Island businesses impacted by the loss of vehicle ferry service on the Port Townsend-Keystone route. On November 20, the Steel Electric Class car ferries that operate on this route were pulled out of service for safety reasons. These are the only ferries capable of carrying cars between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island because of the constraints of Keystone Harbor.

"We understand the significance of this ferry route to the communities and we're doing everything we can to help those communities affected by this service disruption," stated Secretary of Transportation Paula Hammond. A passenger-only run using the ferry Snohomish is operating between Seattle and Port Townsend through the holidays, and passenger service between Keystone and Port Townsend will continue until WSF can resume auto service on the route, hopefully sometime in January.

 "We felt it was important to move quickly to add service to Port Townsend and Coupeville," said WSF Deputy Executive Director Traci Brewer-Rogstad. "Now, through the holiday season, it is possible to walk on a passenger ferry in downtown Seattle and, through a series of linked ferry and transit connections, spend time shopping in both Coupeville and Port Townsend, all without needing a car."

On December 13, WSF began temporary passenger ferry service between Port Townsend and Seattle. The 149-passenger vessel, Snohomish makes four round trips daily between Pier 50 at Colman Dock in Seattle and the Port Townsend Ferry Terminal. The fare is $6.70 round trip and travel time is 90 minutes each way. This service will be available until early-January.

WSF has contracted with a local operator to provide passenger service on the Port Townsend-Keystone route. The service is operated by Puget Sound Express, a local Port Townsend company, and leaves from the Point Hudson Marina, at 227 Jackson, a half mile north of WSF's Port Townsend Ferry dock. 

Ferry passengers arriving on the Snohomish from Seattle who wish to make the connection to Keystone may catch a free shuttle to Point Hudson using Jefferson Transit's shuttle #11.  Shuttles leave the Port Townsend ferry terminal approximately every 20 minutes. For another $5.20 round trip, travelers can then take the passenger ferry to Keystone where Island Transit's holiday shuttle will whisk them away to Coupeville's business district. 

WSF is working closely with both communities to make sure this added holiday service is a success. Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce representatives will be onboard the Snohomish welcoming customers and handing out Jefferson Transit day passes and Port Townsend merchants and accommodations are offering discount packages for holiday shoppers. Coupeville is known for its unique gift shops and art galleries along Main Street and in the Historic Downtown area. 

Travelers are encouraged to check WSF's Web site for ferry schedules and the latest information at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/ or call 1-888-808-7977. Service bulletins and weather cancellations are updated regularly. Customers looking for transit information can call Island Transit at (360) 321-6688 ext. 3 (or toll free at 800-240-8747) or Jefferson Transit at
800-371-0497.

Certainly nothing will feel like a Northwest experience more than a ferry ride to the historic communities of Port Townsend and Coupeville.

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