Puget Sound passenger-only ferry study completed
Written by Marine Log Staff
Kitsap Transit fast ferry boats in Kingston. [Image: Puget Sound Regional Council]
The Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) has finalized its feasibility study of passenger-only ferry service across 12 counties in Western Washington.
The PSRC is a metropolitan planning organization that develops policies and makes decisions about transportation planning, economic development, and growth management throughout the four-county Seattle metropolitan area surrounding Puget Sound.
The Washington State Legislature commissioned the study, directing PSRC to examine opportunities to expand passenger-only ferry service on Puget Sound, Lake Union and Lake Washington.
The year-long study reviewed potential routes and terminals, ridership demand, costs and use of alternative fuels, and electrification of the ferry fleet.
FINDINGS
- On some routes, passenger-only ferry service would offer advantages over land-based transportation, including more direct connections and potentially faster service than comparable modes.
- Ferry service would strengthen the transportation resiliency of the region for both scheduled travel and response/recovery in an emergency event such as an earthquake.
- The marine operating environment presents unique planning considerations, including tribal treaty rights, confined waterways, sensitive habitat and marine mammal protection.
- There is a potentially large number of routes with a destination in Seattle. Work will need to be done to plan for Seattle terminal(s) with capacity to meet demand, whether on Puget Sound or any of the lake routes.
- Electrification potential of passenger ferries will continue to improve over time, with leaps being made in low and zero emissions technologies every year.
ROUTE PROFILES:
The study reviewed 45 potential routes and conducted a three-step evaluation process to identify seven routes for more detailed assessment:
- Tacoma – Seattle
- Bellingham – Friday Harbor
- Whidbey Island – Everett
- Lake Washington – Lake Union
- Kenmore – University of Washington
- Kirkland – University of Washington
- Renton – University of Washington
- Renton – South Lake Union
The evaluation looked at potential operational costs, site-specific conditions, electrification potential and other elements.
NEXT STEPS
The Puget Sound Passenger-Only Ferry Study is a conceptual feasibility study. Service providers such as transit agencies, local governments, and private companies can use the information in the study as a springboard for continued work to develop potential service. This work would include business plan development, identification of funding sources, community outreach, environmental planning, and intergovernmental coordination.
