Ferry

People board the Mukilteo ferry in Mukilteo, Washington on Monday, June 3, 2024. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Washington’s ferry system steers toward less choppy waters

Hiring increases and steps toward adding boats to the state’s fleet are positive developments for the troubled agency.

 

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Finally! State goes out to bid for new hybrid-electric ferries

Deliveries will begin in 2028, if all goes well. The ferries will serve the Mukilteo-Clinton and Seattle-Bremerton routes.

 

State Ferry workers direct drivers onto Washington Ferry MV Suquamish on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, at the terminal in Clinton, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Edmonds-Kingston ferry route had largest rider increase in 2023

Routes to and from Snohomish County had some of the highest, fastest-growing demand in the nation’s largest ferry system.

 

Cars drive onto the ferry at the Mukilteo terminal on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021 in Mukilteo, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Mukilteo-Clinton route car capacity downsized again

The 64-car M/V Salish will replace the 124-car M/V Kitsap for a “week or two.” Drivers are encouraged to get to the terminals early.

Cars drive onto the ferry at the Mukilteo terminal on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021 in Mukilteo, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A ferry heads out from Mukilteo towards Clinton during the evening commute Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Ferry shuffle downsizes Mukilteo-Clinton route’s capacity

The change reduces capacity by 20 cars, due to a systemwide shift to ensure routes align with ridership demands.

A ferry heads out from Mukilteo towards Clinton during the evening commute Thursday, June 16, 2022, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Edmonds-Kingston ferry route at half-capacity ‘until further notice’

Expect delays going to and from Edmonds as a ferry on the route had to be moved to the Seattle-Bremerton route.

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)