COUPEVILLE — The Port Townsend-Keystone Ferry Route Partnership Group will discuss a proposed interim summer ferry reservation system for the route when it meets Thursday.
The group also will hear new Washington State Ferries Director David Moseley tell about his goals at the gathering at 3 p.m. at Camp Casey, Auditorium B, adjacent to the Keystone Harbor ferry landing on Whidbey Island.
“Mainly, we’re trying to zero-in as time is running out on this,” Mayor Michelle Sandoval, the City Council’s partnership group representative, said of the proposed Port Townsend-Keystone reservation system.
The system would use computer software that is now used for Anacortes-San Juan Island route reservations.
It would not be expected to start until some time in June, Sandoval said.
“We’re at least thrilled that they are willing to let us try it out,” Sandoval said.
The system would allow those with reservations to leave their vehicles at the Haines Place Park and Ride to visit Port Townsend attractions.
The ferry reservations also could be coordinated with lodging reservations up to 30 days ahead of time, the mayor added.
The new Port Townsend Visitor Information Center, which will be owned by the city and operated by the Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce, would assist the state ferries system in establishing the ferry reservation system.
The state Transportation Commission last year rejected an unpopular $10 and $20 fee proposal for a Port Townsend-Keystone ferry reservation pilot program, which delayed the proposal.
The new proposal comes with no reservation fee attached.
