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

Spring 2023 virtual community meeting series

Each year we host two rounds of community meetings to engage and inform those we serve. This year, we will host six virtual public meetings focused on both route-specific and key topics such as the proposed fare changes and WSF's Service Restoration plan. All meetings will start at 6 p.m. with a brief presentation. Most of each meeting will be devoted to answering questions from participants. Attendees will also have the opportunity to provide written public comment.

Meeting recordings:

Meeting registration:

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 launched a schedule update process that includes broad community engagement and established a task force to provide advice and recommendations on sailing schedule changes.

Task Force meeting recordings:

Watch videos from past task force meeting

Task Force meeting registration:

Members of the public are invited to listen in to upcoming task force meetings. The meetings are held on Zoom and advance registration is required. 

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?

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