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Ferries
Inventory:
Washington State Ferries
Ferry service is provided by the Washington State Ferry System via the Port Townsend-Coupeville ferry. The route is 4.3 nautical miles across Admiralty Inlet. The ferry service can accommodate
autos, trucks, motorcycles, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Current service is provided by two 64-car Kwa-di Tabil class ferries. Crossing time is approximately 30 minutes. Schedules vary
according to the season, with fewer crossings during the winter months and during periods of low tide. Service begins at 6:30 a.m. in Port Townsend, with the last ferry leaving Keystone
at 9:10 p.m. Daily ridership averages about 1,164 passengers and 992 vehicles/drivers for a total of approximately 2,157. (Ridership in the draft 1996 Comprehensive Plan was listed
as approximately 2,220.)
Table 6-2
Washington State Ferries Ridership Statistics by Quarter
Quarter (2015)
Vehicles
Passengers
Total
January 1 thru March 31
65,282
65,361
130,643
April 1 thru June 30
94,253
112,586
206,839
July 1 thru September 30
128,502
170,582
299,084
October 1 thru December 31
73,955
76,539
150,494
Total
361,992
425,068
787,060
Goals and Policies
The City should coordinate with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) Ferry Division regarding ferry vehicle queuing and vehicle holding and the impacts to SR 20
and City streets. The WSDOT Ferry Division has implemented a reservation system which has significantly reduced the impacts from ferry queuing and vehicle holding.
Efforts to improve ferry and bus schedules are ongoing and should be supported by the City to increase mobility and to decrease the number of single occupancy vehicles arriving at the
ferry dock. Transit service and connections between Port Townsend and the Kingston ferry terminal also play a role in reducing vehicle trips.
The City has been advocating for and coordinating with the Port of Port Townsend to develop a moorage float and dock facility for passenger ferries and other seasonal cruise boats at
the Quincy Street dock facility.
The City participates as a partner with local groups to advocate for the establishment of Port Townsend to Seattle passenger ferry service to support tourism and economic development,
as well as for WSDOT to continue to study the feasibility of direct vehicle ferry service between Seattle and Port Townsend.
Goal 8: Encourage and promote Ferry System programs that improve service to Port Townsend, improve accessibility, and reduce impacts from vehicular traffic
Policy 8.1: Support the expansion of passenger-only ferry services from Port Townsend to Seattle and other Puget Sound urban areas, as well as the San Juan Islands and Victoria, B.C.,
and cooperate with state and federal governments and the province of British Columbia to explore the feasibility of direct ferry service from Port Townsend to these locations.
Policy 8.2: Encourage handicapped accessible improvements that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on the Washington State Port Townsend-Coupeville
Ferry.
Policy 8.3: Coordinate with the WSDOT Ferries Division and Peninsula Regional Transportation Planning Organization (PRTPO) to set a level of service (LOS) standard for the Port Townsend-
Coupeville ferry. The City should encourage a LOS standard of a one-boat wait on weekdays and a two-boat wait on weekends.
Policy 8.4: Work with the WSDOT Ferries Division to study alternatives relating to parking needs for vehicle queuing operations, daily parking for van pool and car pool users, and
continued improvements to the reservation system.