State Unveils Future for Ferries

Washington State Ferries officials presented their idea of what the future holds for the Kingston ferry terminal. Ridership on the Kingston-Edmonds route is expected to increase by 70 percent in the next 25 years. Although vehicles will play a role in that increase, passenger-only service will likely see an even greater boost, the North Kitsap Herald reported. A third boat will be added to the Kingston-Edmonds route in the summer of 2010 and year-round in 2012. A fourth boat will be added in 2023. Instead of jumbo boats, the new vessels will be Issaquah-Class ferries to meet the service need and create less of a burden on local roads. By adding a couple of smaller boats instead of one larger boat, officials hope to allow ferry traffic to dissipate through Kingston without creating any major congestion. However, for the long-range plan to come to fruition, the ferry system will need additional tax support above and beyond what it has received in the past. (Source: North Kitsap Herald)