PORT ANGELES — No one has to have a passport yet to go between the North Olympic Peninsula and Victoria.
Victoria McDonald, spokeswoman for the Port Angeles-based Victoria Express, says that’s the point the company wants travelers to understand.
The first day of new, tougher border-crossing rules for the Victoria Express is today.
The ferry, which usually provides passenger-only service between Port Angeles and Victoria from May through September, is making weekend runs while the MV Coho, which runs year-round, is out of service for its two-week annual dry-dock maintenance in Seattle.
The Victoria Express will cross the Strait of Juan de Fuca today, Saturday and Sunday as well on Feb. 8-10.
McDonald said the company’s employees are working hard to educate passengers about the new requirements that went into effect Thursday.
The new rules for entering the United States require written proof of U.S. or Canadian citizenship — a passport, enhanced driver’s license or a standard driver’s license with a birth certificate.
“Trusted traveler” cards — such as those issued by Nexus, a federal prescreening program, also work.
“We try to provide as much information in many places as possible, such as our Web site [www.victoriaexpress.com] and brochures, verbally, and at trade shows and conferences,” she said.
“Our emphasis in educating is that people don’t have to get a passport yet,” McDonald said.
