PORT TOWNSEND — It was a trial by fire for Washington State Ferries’ new reservation system over the long Memorial Day weekend, and users gave it a thumbs up.
The RSVP system was begun earlier this month because the usual two-ferry run between Port Townsend and Whidbey Island is now down to one ferry — and a smaller vessel at that.
State ferries representatives were unavailable to comment Monday because of the holiday, but a spot survey of ferry users appeared to be mostly positive.
All of them made reservations in advance up to two hours before sailing by visiting www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries, or by phoning 888-808-7977 (toll free), 206-464-6400 or 5-1-1 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily.
That assured them a seat — or their vehicle a place — on the 325-passenger, 54-car Steilacoom II, placed into service after the 80-year-old ferries that used to ply the route were yanked from service for safety reasons last November.
“So far, so good,” said Phil Henderson of Mulkiteo as he waited with his wife at the Port Townsend ferry dock on Monday afternoon.
“We used the reservation system both ways this weekend, and it was no problem on the way over here on Saturday.”
Henderson said he owns property in Port Townsend and comes to town on most weekends.
“I went online and got [the reservations], and I guess it does make it better,” he said.
“For the winter [when there was no ferry service from Keystone to Port Townsend], we were using the Edmonds run, which took a lot longer and was a lot more driving.
“And before this there was some waiting.
“So this helps, but right now I don’t think everyone knows about it yet.”
