Let’s play a game. You know the one, where Washington State Ferries understands that “schedule” doesn’t just mean the number of cars “moved” per day? No? It’s OK if you forgot because Ferries apparently has too.
On Monday, WSF posted a revised schedule proposal for the triangle route. Because the schedule hasn’t been altered in a significant way since 2003, an increase in ridership and shifts in geographical populations make a revamp necessary. Clearly on a route that is plagued by the issues of an aging fleet, inadequate infrastructure and unforgiving logistics, it is going to be tough to make everyone happy. We get that.
But WSF cannot seem to see past the magical “bigger boat” unicorn that by their own account will completely solve the nightmare that waiting at Fauntleroy has become. In our interview, this mythic bigger boat was mentioned no less than half a dozen times as being the answer to getting cars out of Fauntleroy. The boat will be able to take 34 more cars than the 90-car one it will replace. While we are math-savvy enough to understand that yes, that IS more, 34 more cars every few runs is not going to magically fix Fauntleroy’s issues. Especially since they have also suggested decreasing the number of direct sailings to Southworth from Fauntleroy, which will only leave people trying to get to Southworth waiting — at Fauntleroy — longer.
But wait: on the reverse route, Southworth is proposed to get more direct sailings to Fauntleroy — and Vashon fewer. We get that Ferries believes Southworth has been neglected and has needs that now surpass ours. But robbing Peter to pay Paul is not the answer, especially if you’re not even going to pay Paul very well, all said and done.
Maybe Ferries thinks that by making it exceptionally difficult for people on Vashon to get off the island in the late afternoon/evening, there will be fewer people needing to come back. I mean, that just makes sense, right? If they can keep us on the island, then we won’t be contributing to the Fauntleroy problem. Ah, see, now that I’ve written it, it makes perfect sense.
All sarcasm aside: what has been proposed, if it remains as is, will have repercussions we can only just begin to understand right now. And most of them aren’t good.
A bigger boat is great, and it may well ease some of the Fauntleroy congestion — but it won’t solve it.
We already pay more for gas and groceries than mainland residents. The cost of living here is very high — can you imagine what’s going to happen when delivery trucks have to circumnavigate the South Sound just to get on and off the island? Or maybe some businesses will just find it too much of a hassle and will stop coming here altogether.
What about commuter students who take part in extra-curriculars or sports? If practice ends after 5:45 p.m., then it will take them far longer to get home in the evenings. The district may lose those students and our sports teams may then lose those athletes. No one wins. Not even Southworth.
The bottom line is money. More runs means more money. Keeping boats on the water (pendulum-schedule style) costs more than having a boat sit and idle at a dock. And until we can get the Legislature to decide that they really need to invest in the system as though it actually mattered, ferry-commuter life is not going to be super happy.
The schedule is online, and our story has the link. Study it, and don’t be swayed by the “look we’re adding exactly the same number of car spots for both locations!” promotion or the prospect of a bigger boat. And voice your opinion. It may not matter, ultimately, but as with voting, you can’t complain unless you tried. And right now, that’s all we can do.
— Sarah Low
