Comments on: Think about mixing up the ferry system

By: larry

larry — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 16:30:17 +0000

I need to add,the foot ferry fare must be the same as a regular ferry & must accept orca cards.

By: larry

larry — Sun, 07 Oct 2012 16:27:57 +0000

The state needs to maintain a highway system between Bremerton and Seattle. Cutting these routes creats too much of a closed highway on a system that already has a 85% fare recovery pricing system. Ferry users do pay state tax on gas plus most of the operational costs of the boats. Users of state roads pay gas tax, few pay tolls for maintenance, including the highway patrol budget. This is a good idea, keep the hwy open with foot ferries, run more than one if necessary.

By: Richard

Richard — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 20:16:27 +0000

I think the Rich Passage ferry and versions thereof will be the answer. A fleet of these for the cost of only one car ferry, can serve not only Bremerton, but Southworth, PO, even BI. As Robin said, if you’re stuck in Seattle w/your car you can drive around.

By: Roy

Roy — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 19:04:02 +0000

I agree with fletcher’s direction. A Manchester or Southworth foot ferry going directly into seattle (or even a triangle route via Vashon) could make a lot of sense. Rich Passage could easily be re-purposed for this task. South Kitsap commuters are forced to take their cars through either Bremmerton, West Seattle, or Tacoma at which point it’s easier drive-on rather than pay for parking and bus it into town. A South Kitsap foot route could clear up a decent amount of traffic through all of these areas and Downtown, make a lot of South Kitsapians lives easier, and potentially attract new residents and weekenders to the area.

By: Robin in Manette

Robin in Manette — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:25:38 +0000

The Rich Passage I cost about $5 million to build and when they are put into production could cost as little as $3 million each. Compared to the planned cost of $277 million to build two new 144 car ferries. A late night Passenger Only ferry makes a ton of sense. If you get stuck in Seattle late at night with your car you can drive around, there’s no traffic late at night. But if you are stuck without your car, you might have to sleep on a park bench. That happened to a friend of mine back in the day.

The biggest concern is whether or not public employee unions are willing to be more flexible by allowing their workers to work flex shifts rather than requiring they be paid to sit around when a boat is not running.

By: louis grinbaum

louis grinbaum — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 15:22:03 +0000

why cant they make the Bainbridge Ferry also stop at Bremerton during the slow and empty afternoon runs? It may add about 30 min to the route, but if hardly anyone is on those boats, whats 30 min to save millions? then revert back to regular schedule for high capacity hours.

By: Derek Lyons

Derek Lyons — Tue, 02 Oct 2012 12:56:37 +0000

I’d say a passenger ferry could replace the mid-day runs, when you have the option of bringing your car back on a later run (if you already have your car there). Using it on the late night runs, not so much.

By: fletc3her

fletc3her — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 20:38:09 +0000

There is a different group of passengers who might ride a foot ferry to Seattle.

Coming from Manchester the Bremerton auto ferry almost never makes sense for me. However, a faster passenger ferry could compete with the total travel time and cost of riding on the Southworth ferry.

By: Greg

Greg — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:55:47 +0000

Has the ferry system considered being customer-focused and working to provide what the riders want?

Does the ferry system look at the event schedule in Seattle to see how the riders can be best served?

In taking part in the Oregon at WSU football game held at Century Link Stadium on Saturday night (7:30 to abt 11:15), I wonder if the ferry system considers how to transport those football patrons home after the game. Under the current schedule, the only ferries to Bremerton leaving Seattle are at 10:30 and 12:50. Would a couple of evening foot ferries have the capacity to bring the customers home?

What is the plan for folks stranded in Seattle if the last boat to leave Seattle does not have the capacity? Would you warn customers boarding a ferry in the afternoon that there may not be capacity to bring them back to Bremerton in the evening?

(This is not an idle threat. I have witnesses a ferry leaving people behind in Seattle because there were too many people in line to board a full ferry.)

The same question(s) would apply to non-sporting events like the SeaFair Parage, concerts, festivals, etc.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 19:43:38 +0000

There a fixed number of ferry riders. How does adding the cost to operate another ferry boat save money? Any additional passengers riding the foot ferry can be subtracted from the car ferry.

Now you’re telling me that we have to repay millions in Rich Passage1 construction costs? And in November the Rich Passage1 is going to become an expensive seaweed collecting buoy?

I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.