PORT ANGELES — The company which operates passenger-only ferry service between Port Angeles and Victoria during the summer is considering year-round service.
Victoria Express is contemplating stretching its “extended weekend” runs, said Charlie Comstock, spokesman for Victoria Rapid Transit Inc. who made the announcement at Monday’s Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce membership luncheon.
“We are working with regulatory authorities for year-round service,” he said.
Regulatory authorities would include permitting agencies as well as the federal Department of Homeland Security and Canadian authorities because the Strait of Juan de Fuca service crosses the international border.
Comstock said the change is a result of the customer demand for the 60-minute crossing throughout the summer season.
Victoria Rapid Transit’s red and white passenger boats, both carrying the Victoria Express name, shave a half-hour off the 90-minute crossing time of the larger vehicle and passenger ferry, MV Coho, operated by another company, Black Ball Ferry Line.
“Due to the overwhelming customer demand, we decided to work on this,” Comstock said.
He said the current plan is to use the same schedule the company is now operating with two round trips Friday through Monday — a concept the company calls an “extended weekend.”
The boats leave Port Angeles at 8:10 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. and leave Victoria at 9:45 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. each day.
In celebration of its 20th anniversary, the company slashed the adult fare to $20 for a round-trip ticket.
Comstock said that rate will continue for now.
Both the Victoria Express and Victoria Express II have undergone engine changes by owner Jack Harmon so they can burn biodiesel to reduce their carbon footprints.
Because of the biodiesel engine, the Port of Kingston is buying the smaller Victoria Express for a new Seattle to Kingston route, and will take possession of it after the summer season.
Whether another boat will join Victoria Express II for the year-round service, if it is approved, is not known even to Comstock.
“I don’t know all the details at this point,” he said Monday.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
