A dock that is too small, boats that are too old, a schedule that asks too much. Washington State Ferries (WSF) officials say there are plenty of reasons for the wait times and ensuing mess that is the Fauntleroy ferry dock, but potential solutions always seem to be too far out of reach, or too complicated.

The problems with the Fauntleroy dock came to a head last week when, on Thursday, the line to get on a ferry stretched back to California Avenue — nearly 2 miles from the dock — creating a two-hour wait. Saturday was a similar story, with wait times to board a boat in excess of two hours. Adding insult to injury on both days, boats were leaving with spaces still open, some only half-full. A firestorm of confusion and anger took over the Vashon Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) Facebook page as commuters wondered how trying to stay on schedule was more important than moving the hundreds of people in line.

The ferries have been running late for weeks ever since the slower Tillikum was assigned to the triangle route. With boats already late, the focus should be on moving people through, not maintaining a schedule that has been messed up for months.

Now, it finally seems as if islanders’ concerns are being heard. Multiple people, including the head of Vashon’s FAC and Sen. Sharon Nelson, are addressing the issue. Nelson said on Monday that the legislature had previously placed an on-time performance condition on the ferries. She now wants to revisit that condition.

Meanwhile, Vashon FAC head Greg Beardsley said he has submitted a proposal to the ferry system that calls for pre-ticketed passengers to bypass the tollbooths during peak travel times again, among other changes.

While islanders understand that there are complexities with the ferry system and the potential solutions, the triangle route cannot continue to operate as it has been. People cannot be left on the dock or on the street, waiting in their cars for boats that are leaving partially empty.

The number one job for the ferry system should be to move people, and while keeping to a schedule is important, it should never overshadow the need to bring people from Point A to Point B. Potential solutions need to be implemented and implemented soon.

In the meantime, islanders need to remember that the workers at the dock are not responsible for the current situation. Exercise civility, patience and kindness with them. Yelling at a ticket taker does not accomplish anything. Concerns and complaints need to be brought up those who have the power to make changes.