Community participation

Community participation is at the core of decision making at Washington State Ferries. We are committed to having two-way discussions with the public through community meetings, our Ferry Advisory Committees and various speaking engagements.

Community meetings

Winter 2023 virtual community meeting series

Each year we host two rounds of community meetings to engage and inform those we serve. During the winter virtual community meeting series, WSF staff gave a brief presentation on the status of the Service Restoration Plan, ongoing hiring challenges and successes, and updates on new vessels, terminals, and other projects. Participants asked questions and provided comments during the meeting.

Meeting Recordings

Community Meeting 1, Wednesday, Jan. 11

Community Meeting 2, Thursday, Jan. 12

Fauntleroy terminal project

Community participation and engagement are important in guiding our early planning efforts for our SR 160 - Fauntleroy Terminal - Trestle & Transfer Span Replacement project.

Ferry Advisory Committees

Under state law, Ferry Advisory Committees are appointed by local elected officials to:

  • Provide us input on problems experienced by riders and by ferry communities (RCW 47.60.310)
  • Participate in reviews of allocation of vessels to runs, schedules, and the adequacy of terminals (RCW 47.60.310 and RCW 47.60.300)
  • Participate in developing fares and fare policies (RCW 47.60.290 and RCW 47.60.300)
  • Review plans for changes to route service levels (RCW 47.60.330)
  • Participate in developing rider surveys with the Washington State Transportation Commission (RCW 47.60.286)
  • Review rider survey responses (RCW 47.60.290)
  • Participate in developing plans for capital and operating investments (RCW 47.06.050)
  • Meet with us twice each year as an executive committee to review ferry system issues (RCW 47.60.310)

Contact the FAC chair representing your community with suggestions or concerns about ferry service.

Speaking engagements

If you would like someone from WSF to come speak to your group or event, email WSFComms@wsdot.wa.gov. Our speakers include WSF Executive Team members, vessel and terminal management staff, design engineers, planning specialists and communications personnel.

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Ferries Facts

WSF is the largest operating public ferry system in the US! How cool is that?

Learn more about work zone safety

Slow down – lives are on the line.

In 2022, speeding continued to be a top reason for work zone crashes.

Even one life lost is too many.

Each year about 670 people are killed nationally in highway work zones. In 2022, Washington had six fatal work zone crashes on state roads.

It's in EVERYONE’S best interest.

95% of people hurt in work zones are drivers, their passengers or passing pedestrians, not just our road crews.