Date:  Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Contact: Susan Harris-Huether, Senior Programs Manager, 206-515-3460

SEATTLE – WSDOT Ferries Division (WSF) will begin operating its spring sailing schedule on Sunday, March 28. Features of the 2010 spring schedule include re-opening of the international route, increased service on some routes and changes to sailing times on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route. WSF is also introducing a system to officially report line-cutters.

Following the annual winter closure of the international route, WSF resumes service with one round trip per day between Anacortes and Sidney, B.C. on the 124-car Chelan. To make reservations for travel on this route, visit the WSF Web site or call 511.

Other service increases with the spring schedule include:

• Weekend inter-island service in the San Juan Islands resumes after the winter hiatus.
• Restores eight hours of mid-day service Monday through Thursday between Anacortes and the San Juan Islands.
• Resumes weekend three-boat service on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route (the third boat will operate eight hours a day on Saturday and Sunday).

WSF has also made adjustments to afternoon and evening sailing times on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route in efforts to improve transit connections and on-time performance. WSF worked with the Vashon Island Ferry Advisory Committee, Pierce Transit, and other groups to develop these schedule revisions.

The complete spring sailing schedule is currently available on the WSF Web site. The spring schedule will be in effect March 28 through June 19, 2010.

WSF is also joining WSDOT’s HERO program to give ferry customers a way to officially report line cutters. WSDOT’s HERO program encourages drivers to self-enforce HOV lane rules by reporting violators. Starting March 28, drivers who witness someone cutting into a ferry line can call 877-764-HERO (4376) and submit the line cutter’s license plate number and state of origin. An education letter and brochure will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. If a second complaint is logged, the registered owner’s information will be forwarded to the Washington State Patrol. A ticket for line cutting costs $124.

For more ferry system information, please visit the WSF Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries. To sign up for free e-mail alerts about service disruptions and other route information, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/email_alerts.

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