By Dave B.
Here it comes, the ferry discussion. I think we have heard it all, but here goes:
Our wonderful ferries and the folks who ride them.
Now THIS is a subject all Islanders have an opinion on. How do YOU feel about riding our WSF system? I can tell you if I had to ride off-Island for work every day, I would be a cranky, ugly mess. As it is, I go off-Island approximately 3 days a week. That is my choice as I have control over my work schedule, and it suits me after 43 years in healthcare.
It is very difficult to make a living on the Island without having multiple jobs, and the ferry does not make it easier, even the few times those folks need to go to Costco, Walmart, or Starbucks. So, most Islanders are patient and understand that the ferry workers are at the mercy of the mechanics of the boat, the number of cars in line, or if someone calls out sick and the Washington State Ferry (WSF) folks try to find a replacement.
What is worrisome is the increasing price with more problems year after year. Am I wrong? Nope.
I realize that the ferry system is short on boats, has a budget, and is working with what they have, but let’s look at some problems that can possibly be fixed or at least acknowledged. First, the north-end ferry dock is terribly laid out. Fauntleroy way is getting extremely busy, and we have a cop directing traffic at peak times, but “peak times” have become “all the time.”
The ferry line on Fauntleroy way is not user-friendly and the poor tourists who have no clue how to navigate it can cause issues. The locals are very vocal about cutting in line and it makes for poor relationships, especially in the summer. Add folks parking along Fauntleroy who sometimes do not understand that the ferry line after 2:00 p.m. begins all along Fauntleroy. If they do not move their car, it is a serious issue trying to get around them.
Throw in a few New Yorkers who have attitude and we get fights and confrontations we do not need on a two-lane road next to a park. So, if you are visiting our Island and have had issues in line on the north end, please understand Islanders sit in that line EVERY DAY. Imagine that!
The south end used to be much more mellow and friendly, but now that the Pagoda and skybridge are in place, the wait between 7:00-10:00 a.m. and 1:30-5:30 p.m. is not conducive to a fun time. The 62-car Chetzemoka seems to run late day after day. The ferry workers are trying to squeeze every last car onto the boat, but with all the commercial traffic I wonder if the Chetz is even built for that kind of load.
In addition, putting a roundabout with one lane going into the zoo/aquarium, down to Anthony’s restaurant, and onto the ferry was honestly a stupid idea. I have talked to my ferry-worker friends on the south end and WSF folks TOLD the powers to be that redesigning the road with a roundabout was NOT a good idea.
I would bet people who got this pushed through do not ride the ferry at 1:40, 2:40, or 3:40 p.m. during the summer. Maybe not at all! I have seen that line back up all the way to the Italian restaurant, and then it gets really fun. Add folks with boats trying to come up to the roundabout from the lower parking area and it’s more confusion. People who want to get to the park or zoo sit in the same roundabout line with all of us folks who just want to get home. Not a good idea.
Can a second lane be added? I hope so, but who is going to pay for it?
In WSF’s defense, they have quarterly meetings to get feedback from the public, but when was the last time you saw something change from those meetings? Yes, we finally have a third boat on the north end, but only sporadically and only in the summer. More times than not, it gets pulled to go elsewhere.
We DEFINITELY need a bigger boat on the south end. Remember those two joyful weeks when the Issaquah was in Point Defiance? You could have all four lines filled to the top and still got onto the ferry. It was heaven! Why can’t the Chetz be moved as the third boat to the north-end and a larger boat be moved to Point Defiance permanently?
In order to live and work on Vashon, we all need to get along, enjoy the ride, and take a breath on a Friday afternoon. At least when you get on the ferry, you can go up top and have a beer.
Note: I will be attending the WSF virtual meeting on October 14th and may have further information in my next rant. Stay tuned.
