Community participation
Community participation is at the core of decision making at Washington State Ferries. Riders and members of the public may attend virtual community meetings, reach out to their Ferry Advisory Committees with feedback or direct questions and comments to our communications staff at WSFComms@wsdot.wa.gov.
Public meetings
Each year, we host three rounds of public meetings to engage and inform those we serve.
May 2025
We will host two virtual community meetings in May 2025. Both meetings will cover the same material. WSF leadership plans to update the public on the latest information from the organization, including workforce development and electrification. Prior registration is required to attend the Zoom meetings.
February 2025
We hosted two virtual community meetings in February 2025. Both meetings covered the same material. WSF leadership updated the public on the latest information from the organization, including workforce development and electrification.
Recordings:
September 2024
We hosted two virtual community meetings in September 2024. Both meetings covered the same material. WSF leadership updated the public on the latest information from the organization.
Recordings:
San Juan Islands schedule improvement
The San Juan Islands sailing schedule needs to be updated to improve on-time performance and reliability and to align with the reservations program that started in 2015. Current seasonal sailing schedules have not been updated in 10-15 years. WSF has rolled out the updated winter and spring sailing schedules, with summer on deck. We launched a schedule update process that includes broad community engagement and established a task force to provide advice and recommendations on sailing schedule changes. For more information, check out our project page.
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.
Triangle 2-Boat Schedule Update
To provide more reliable service for Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route customers, WSF relies on community participation as we update the two-boat schedule.
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.
- Anacortes: James T. English
- Bainbridge Island: Richard Velazquez
- Bremerton: Daniel Walkup
- Clinton: Dean Enell
- Coupeville: Jack Schwab
- Edmonds: Kenton Jones
- Fauntleroy: Frank Immel
- Kingston: Alena Wolotira
- Mukilteo: Vacant
- Port Townsend: Tom Thiersch
- San Juan Islands: Jennifer Swanson
- Southworth: Kory Kersavage
- Vashon Island: Justin Hirsch
FAC-T
Every two years, we work with the Washington State Transportation Commission to review and update our fares based on revenue targets set by the Legislature. WSF meets with a special advisory group called the FAC on Tariff to work on recommendations to take to the WSTC. The group provides us with advice, input and feedback to develop a fare proposal to the Commission, which sets our fares based on targets determined by the state Legislature.
Members of the public are invited to attend FAC-T meetings. Prior registration is required.
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.
Slow down – lives are on the line.
Excessive speed was a top cause of work zone collisions in 2024.
Phone down, eyes up.
Work zones need our undivided attention.
It's in EVERYONE’S best interest.
96% of people hurt in work zones are drivers, their passengers or passing pedestrians, not just our road crews.