#washingtonstateferries — Public Fediverse posts

Getting health care in the San Juan Islands can be tough for residents. Because of the challenges of getting to the mainland, residents say they sometimes delay care until it’s an emergency.
https://www.kuow.org/health/2026-09-03/san-juan-islands-residents-brave-ferry-lines-medevacs-to-get-to-the-doctor
#KUOW #News #HealthCare #Health #WashingtonStateFerries #Transportation

The proposed arrangement would involve selling, refurbishing and then leasing back two vessels that are both more than 50 years old.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/shipyard-pitches-bringing-back-retired-state-ferries-to-bolster-strained-service
#KUOW #News #WashingtonStateFerries

Data point:

"The Seattle Mariners and Detroit Tigers will meet in a decisive Game 5 of the American League Division Series on Friday, Oct. 10, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle."

Washington State Ferries bulletin @ 2:29 pm, October 10:

"Washington State Ferries is expecting service disruptions that may impact all routes this evening due to a shortage of crew. If you're attending the Mariners game plan accordingly. Take public transportation or walk-on if at all possible. Expect extensive delays returning home after the game."

Well then

Maybe broadcast the game on the passenger and car decks of all the boats and crews would show up for work

#SeattleMariners #WashingtonStateFerries #Mariners #WSF

You may notice more furry travel companions on your next Washington state ferry ride.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/dogs-get-greater-access-to-roam-aboard-washington-state-ferries
#KUOW #News #WashingtonStateFerries #Transportation

The newest back-to-school must-have: Free Youth Transit Pass!
https://kingcountymetro.blog/2025/08/21/the-newest-back-to-school-must-have-free-youth-transit-pass/
#KingCountyMetro #WashingtonStateFerries #Freeyouthtransitpass #KingCountyWaterTaxi #SoundTransitLink #News #ORCA

A trip on a Washington state ferry will get more expensive this fall.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/get-ready-to-pay-more-for-a-washington-state-ferry-ride
#KUOW #News #Politics #WashingtonStateFerries

#SilentSunday #PNW #Ferry #MtBaker #WashingtonStateFerries

Riding a motorcycle may be the best way to enjoy the state’s ferry system.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/first-on-first-off-a-motorcyclist-s-guide-to-washington-state-ferries
#KUOW #News #ArtsAndLife #Cars #Transportation #WashingtonStateFerries

Around Seattle: Washington State Ferries: The Washington State Ferries are a great way to see Seattle’s natural beauty from the water—and to see some incredible sea life. … (#WashingtonStateFerries)

Full post: https://seattlein2025.org/2025/06/18/around-seattle-washington-state-ferries/

There’s nothing quite like touring Washington by ferry. It’s not just a way to get from point A to point B. The ferries are an experience, a scenic adventure, and sometimes even the highlight of your trip. No matter where your ferry is going to, you’ll see some of the most gorgeous natural beauty in the world—and you may even see some amazing creatures.

For both locals and visitors, hopping on a Washington State Ferry is a gateway to a world of discovery. The fleet connects the mainland with a collection of charming islands and scenic peninsulas, each with its own unique draw. Bainbridge Island, just a short ride from downtown Seattle, offers an irresistible mix of small-town charm and natural beauty, with art galleries, cozy cafés, and forested trails waiting to be explored.

Vashon Island has a wonderfully independent spirit—you can roam its farmland, browse quirky shops, or simply unwind in its quiet, rural atmosphere.

The San Juan Islands, further north, present a true getaway where whale watching, kayaking, and relaxing seaside dining are the order of the day.

But a ferry ride is more than just the destination. Half the fun is in the journey itself. As you pull away from the dock, the world slows down. The distant hum of the city fades, replaced by the rhythmic lapping of waves and the occasional squawk of a passing seagull.

The views are breathtaking—on clear days, you might spot the towering silhouette of Mount Rainier in the distance, or watch as the Olympics cast their majestic outline against a pastel sky. (The Bainbridge or Edmonds ferries are both great shortcuts to Olympic National Park.)

If you’re lucky, you’ll see porpoises playing in the ferry wake, see bald eagles soaring overhead, or even catch a glimpse of a resident orca pod making their way through the Sound.

In fact, I’ll never forget the day my family rode the Bainbridge Ferry to hike some of the Island’s amazing trails. Not long after the boat left the ferry terminal, the ferry suddenly stopped. As the passengers emerged on the viewing deck, a murmur spread across the passengers: a pod of Orcas was passing the boat. Ferries have to yield to the majestic creatures, so we all got to do some incredible whale watching from the deck.

Washington State Ferries make the adventure accessible to everyone. Whether you’re driving on board with plans for a road trip or strolling aboard as a foot passenger, the experience is equally rewarding. A solo traveler can soak in the peaceful solitude of the open water, a family can enjoy the novelty of a maritime journey, and a group of friends can make it an adventure—grabbing snacks from the galley, finding the perfect spot on deck, and snapping photos as the Seattle skyline fades into the distance.

One word of caution: if you’re traveling on a weekend or holiday, it’s strongly recommended to make reservations on the Washington State Ferries website. Otherwise you may find yourself in a multi-hour wait to catch the boat.

There’s something very special about being out on the water on a Puget Sound summer day. The views to and from our majestic city are breathtaking, and the wildlife you see might be something you remember for a long time.

https://seattlein2025.org/2025/06/18/around-seattle-washington-state-ferries/

#WashingtonStateFerries

After years of low staffing and unreliable schedules, Gov. Bob Ferguson announced Thursday that Washington state will have full ferry service by summer, bringing the system back to pre-pandemic levels.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/full-ferry-service-returning-to-washington-gov-ferguson-says
#KUOW #News #WashingtonStateFerries #Transportation

Washington State's new ferry boats are years away.
It's a painful reality for waterfront communities that depend on ferries.
But a new bill in the legislature promises to give them some relief.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/mosquito-fleet-act-could-bring-small-ferries-to-puget-sound-communities
#KUOW #News #Transportation #KingCounty #WashingtonStateFerries #WashingtonStateLegislature

Edmonds last night at sunset.
#Edmonds #SnohomishCounty #sunset #WashingtonStateFerries #WSF #PNW #PugetSound #photography #GooglePixel

Unionized ferry workers who keep the state’s ailing fleet afloat are calling for higher pay and better staffing. On Tuesday morning, over 30 engineers and oilers stood in front of the bustling downtown Seattle ferry terminal, demanding the state to invest more money into jobs.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/we-re-at-a-breaking-point-washington-ferry-workers-demand-20-raise
#KUOW #News #Unions #Transportation #Labor #WashingtonStateFerries

@wsf_updates

They have puzzles too!

(I saw some crew working one first and thought it was just something for them to do when they don't have duties, but this woman said it was a long-standing tradition?)

#ferries #washingtonStateFerries #travel #puzzles #jigsawPuzzle

The state put five new ferries out to bid this week.
That means shipyards may compete for the right to build them.
A look through the plans reveals similarities to the old ferries, new details, and big changes under the hood.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/a-sneak-peak-at-washington-s-planned-hybrid-electric-ferries
#KUOW #News #WashingtonStateFerries #Transportation

Ferries in Washington State have a miserable reliability record. Recent policy changes are starting to show positive results. But with additional aging boats set to retire, the system won't see a net gain in boats until
https://www.kuow.org/stories/the-toll-of-washington-state-s-broken-ferry-system
#KUOW #News #WashingtonStateFerries

Steve Nevey said his job is to take the state’s beleaguered ferry system into the post-pandemic future. Washington State Ferries has struggled for years to maintain reliable service with broken boats and staff shortages.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/short-on-staff-ships-can-washingtons-new-ferry-chief-navigate-out-of-troubled-waters
#KUOW #News #Transportation #WashingtonStateFerries #Government

For the first time in many years, Washington state’s ferry system operations are fully funded — but there’s still work to do. That’s what people heard at a “Fix our Ferries Town Hall” on Bainbridge Island over the weekend.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/bainbridge-island-residents-show-new-optimism-to-revive-washington-ferries
#KUOW #News #WashingtonStateFerries #Transportation #Transportation

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has received two letters from local governments urging fixes to ongoing woes with the ferry system, often relied upon by commuters. Among the back-and-forth are mentions of increasing passenger-only ferries in Puget Sound.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/passenger-only-ferry-seattle-puget-sound-washington-state-ferries-inslee-letters
#KUOW #News #Government #Government #Transportation #WashingtonStateFerries #Transportation

Officially, the Washington State Ferries had a 99% reliability rating in January. But in waterfront communities hurt by too few boats and ferry-run cancellations, people remain skeptical. During the legislative session, elected leaders are working to address the problem.
https://www.kuow.org/stories/washington-s-ferry-system-has-a-trust-problem
#KUOW #News #Government #WashingtonStateLegislature #Transportation #Transportation #WashingtonStateFerries

Waiting for the ferry to go see my eye doctor and had to capture this view. #PNW #WashingtonStateFerries #commute #OlympicMountains #Autum

If like me, you have nothing better to do, you can geek out over how a double-ended ferry works. They never turn these boats around. Why? They have propellers and rudders on both ends. How does that work? It’s wild. At least to me.

https://www.travelswithtowhee.com/puget-sound-double-ended-ferry-boats/

#washingtonStateFerries #SalishSea

I rode the Kitsap Color Classic this last Sunday (9/24/23). The bicycle ride is the last major Cascade Bicycle Club event for the year. 52.7 miles/3,154 feet of climb. https://ridewithgps.com/trips/135596104
#bicycle #bicycling #PNW #KitsapColorClassic #KCC2023 #KitsapCounty #Washington #washingtonstate #WSF #WashingtonStateFerries #CascadeBicycleClub @CascadeBicycleClub

Thankful for my family, for Seattle, and for Washington State Ferries. ❤️❤️❤️ #ferry #washingtonstateferries #thanksgiving #spaceneedle #seattle