As the holiday season ramps up, the Washington State Ferries are preparing for a significant surge in passengers, with an expected 700,000 individuals cruising across the chilly waters from December 19 through the end of the year. With folks steering their holiday course on state ferries, those driving to ferries might want to brace themselves for possible delays.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has projected that the influx of holiday traffic, combined with a return to full service earlier in the year, will likely catapult the year's ridership past the 20 million mark, reaching a peak not seen since 2019, according to WSDOT. Travelers with vehicles are advised to come prepared for the potential long waits associated with the holiday rush.
Accommodating the surge and making journeys smoother, WSDOT has been pushing passengers to utilize their mobile app or visit the WSF website, offering a suite of tools such as real-time maps, sailing schedules, terminal conditions, alerts, and reservations. The expected busy periods are challenging to pinpoint due to Christmas landing on a Thursday this year. However, weekends surrounding the holiday are typically crowded, prompting the WSF to suggest considering off-peak travel times or alternative means such as biking or walking onto ferries.
Ferrygoers are reminded of schedule adjustments on holidays, with route-specific changes marked online. Christmas and New Year's Day will see the Edmonds/Kingston and Point Defiance/Tahlequah routes operating on altered schedules, while the Seattle/Bainbridge Island and Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth routes stick to weekend timetables. Heading into the winter sailing season on December 28, the Seattle/Bremerton and Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth routes will also undergo routine schedule shifts, as reported by WSDOT.
Drivers using state highways to reach ferry terminals are advised to anticipate standard holiday traffic delays and check real-time traffic conditions using the WSDOT app or online travel map. The WSF, known for its sizable fleet and scenic voyages, holds the title of the largest ferry system in the U.S and is committed to the safety and efficiency for the tens of millions of passengers it serves annually.
