Ferry officials, including Lynne Griffith, who heads the ferry system, will be on Vashon Oct. 26 as part of a three-community listening tour.

The goal of the tour is improving service next summer on the triangle route, according to Brian Mannion, a spokesman for Washington State Ferries (WSF).

“We hope we get robust participation across the system,” Mannion said.

Griffith and other ferry officials will travel to Vashon, Southworth and Fauntleroy to hear the ferry-related concerns of each community.

“It really is about listening first,” Mannion said. “We hope the meetings will result in viable recommendations for the triangle route.”

The past summer was a difficult one on that route, with many Vashon passengers experiencing exceptionally long waits and frustration with congestion on Fauntleroy Way and ferries that frequently left only partially full, despite long lines of waiting cars.

Now, Mannion said, ferry officials are reaching out to members of the three communities served by the triangle route — known as the most problematic route in the WSF system. They are beginning the process this fall, he said, instead of in the spring, in the hopes of being ready to improve ferry travel next summer.

“This is a sincere, focused effort to get things started,” he added.

WSF officials will hear what members of each community say and then report that information back to each of the communities, Mannion stated.

Islanders are encouraged to attend — and speak up.

“What we hear is part of the information we are going to use to start (the planning) process,” he said.

The Vashon meeting will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, at McMurray Middle School.

Meetings will occur in Port Orchard on Oct. 24 and in Fauntleroy on Oct. 27.