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Ferry Delays Almost Everywhere As State Repositions Fleet

The fight is on over proposed ferry-service cuts in Gov. Gregoire's budget plan. At a Bremerton meeting last night, lawmakers said they'll oppose reductions to mid-day service.
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The fight is on over proposed ferry-service cuts in Gov. Gregoire's budget plan. At a Bremerton meeting last night, lawmakers said they'll oppose reductions to mid-day service.

There are big delays on Washington State Ferries just about anywhere you go this week. The fleet has been redistributed to make up for some out-of-service vessels, which is having ripple effects that are nearly system-wide.

Some examples:

  • One-hour delays are possible between Seattle and Bainbridge Island, with both of that route’s regular vessels out of service.
  • International departures from Anacortes to Sidney, B.C. are canceled Thursday and Friday.
  • The Seattle-Bremerton run is using a ferry with about half of the normal vehicle capacity.
  • The Edmonds-Kingston route is down to one boat, which is causing long delay.

The bottom line is this: If you’re planning to walk or drive onto a boat, check the schedule and pack lots of patience.
You can find updated specifics on the various delays and changes on the Washington State Department of Transportation's website.

Ed Ronco is a former KNKX producer and reporter and hosted All Things Considered for seven years.