The system is...

Faster,

Easier,

More Convenient

And enhances our accountability and efficiency at the tollbooth.

You use bar codes at the library, on the bus, at the store, and soon to board a Washington State Ferry. By utilizing bar code readers and scanners, WSF's revenue controls and ridership data will be vastly improved. It will also provide more efficient ways for customers to purchase tickets.

E-ticketing
With the new system, the current coupon ticket books will go away. Multi-ride tickets will replace the ticket books and will be available at the ticket booth, via the Internet, or from kiosks in the terminals. Multi-ride tickets and passes will be rechargeable so as you use your multi-ride ticket, you can re-value the same ticket for multiple round trips via the Internet or through a kiosk, and do so quickly and easily. Single use tickets and monthly passes will also be available via the kiosks and online.

Pre-ticketing redemption
By purchasing tickets in advance, customers will be able to move through our terminals quickly. Walk-on passengers will scan their tickets at turnstiles and then board the ferry. Vehicle drivers will scan their tickets at the tollbooth, either staffed or self-service, depending on the route, and then enter the holding area.

Since full fare car and driver tickets will be available online, fewer ticket sales will occur at the tollbooth.

Why change now?
The current point-of-sale system is over 10 years old. Repair and replacement parts are no longer available. The new system is necessary to work with Puget Sound Region's Smart Card project, which is scheduled to go into effect in 2006. WSF's new fare collection system will be compatible with the Smart Card.

The State Auditor's Office has, for many years, requested that WSF implement a system that enhances revenue controls, is automated, and is designed to reduce cash-handling at the tollbooths. The new system does this and more.

WSF will have access to real time traffic and revenue data and will also be able to tailor programs for commercial users and other groups.

How can I learn more?
We plan to be on the boats and in your community, demonstrating the new system between now and the fall of 2005.

Questions and Answers Concerning the new fare collection system

Q. What does this new system mean to me?
A. Essentially, it will make buying tickets easier. In addition, there will be turnstiles instead of ticket takers and self-service car and driver booths at some westside terminals.

The ticket book will be replaced with a multi-ride ticket than can be re-valued.

Q. What is re-value?
A. Frequent riders can add value to their ticket or card manually (at a kiosk) or have it automatically reloaded at a pre-determined time by setting up an account.

Q. Where can tickets and cards be purchased?
A. At a kiosk, online and at some tollbooths.

Q. What is a kiosk?
A. WSF's kiosk, which will be located at every terminal, is a free-standing, self-service, automated device that is programmed to dispense coded tickets and accepts credit and debit cards.

Q. What are advanced tickets?
A. Customers will be able to purchase full fare, single ride tickets for travel later that day or later that week.

Q. What happens if I buy online?
A. Every ticket, whether purchased online or at a kiosk, will have a unique bar code. The scanner at the tollbooth or at the passenger turnstile will read the bar code allowing passage.

Q. Will the scanners recognize a multi-ride purchase from a single fare purchase?
A. The scanners are able to track every ticket. Upon scanning, one ride will automatically be deducted, leaving the single fare ticket with no value and a multi-ride ticket with the remaining balance of rides.

If you have questions,
please contact EFS4U@wsdot.wa.gov
or call Susan Harris-Huether at 206-515-3460.

Washington State Ferries
2911 2nd Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98121-1012