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About WashingtonFerryTalk Wiki
Welcome to the WashingtonFerryTalk.com wiki.
WashingtonFerryTalk.com was born of the frustration expressed by ferry riders, other citizens and local elected officials who were unconvinced that the two long-range planning options presented by Washington State Ferries were the final answers.
In January WSF presented two scenarios: Plan A, which would maintain existing service and add 10 new boats over the next 22 years, at a cost that is $3.5 billion more than is expected to be available; and Plan B, which would cut car ferries on the Bremerton-Seattle, Port Townsend-Keystone and Southworth-Vashon-Fauntleroy routes, reduce night service from Kingston to Edmonds, end service entirely between Anacortes and Sidney, B.C., and ask counties to bridge any gap needed in service by providing passenger-only boats.
In response, Rep. Larry Seaquist, D-Gig Harbor, invited ferry riders to collaborate on a "Plan C" [1], and scheduled a public meeting for Jan. 17 to begin that process.
That's where this wiki comes in. The forum portion of this site, http://washingtonferrytalk.com/forum, is intended to foster conversation between riders, other taxpayers, elected officials and those with Washington State Ferries. This wiki will compliment that project by housing information and analysis about the ferry system, including costs, run details and more in an easily searchable format.
To start, we put in some basic information about the state ferry system, as well as created a page of links to studies by the Washington State Ferries on the Studies page.
You can add to the conversation by registering as a user in http://washingtonferrytalk.com/forum . You'll then have the ability to add new entries or edit existing entries. Please consult our "Washington State Ferry Wiki:About" page for posting guidelines.
Suggested Searches
Start learning more about the ferry system using the search bar at left or see some of the newest items in the Wiki by clicking on Recent Changes, also at left.
Here are some entries that we suggest looking at :
Ferry Studies links to budget and system studies done by Washington State Ferries and other organizations
Washington State Ferries connects you to basic information about the Washington State Ferries system and its vessels.
Plan C Citizens Group gives information about the group of citizens hoping to sway Washington State Legislature with an alternative long-range ferries plan.
Ferry System Birth talks about the beginnings of the ferry system: In 1951, when the state purchased the private Black Ball Lines for $5 million, Gov. Arthur B. Langlie believed ferries were temporary.
Puget Sound Fast Ferry Study links to the Puget Sound Fast Ferry Study project website that provides information on the ongoing feasibility study of a passenger only fast ferry route from Seattle to Bremerton.
Help
If you need help regarding this site, please contact Kitsap Sun Web Editor Angela Dice at adice@kitsapsun.com
