New ferry schedule, off-peak fares highlight fall sailing season | Department of Transportation

Changing foliage and shorter days aren’t the only things Washington State Ferries’ customers can count on every fall. Seasonal service adjustments start Sunday, Sept. 21, and off-peak fares go into effect Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Changing foliage and shorter days aren’t the only things Washington State Ferries’ customers can count on every fall. Seasonal service adjustments start Sunday, Sept. 21, and off-peak fares go into effect Wednesday, Oct. 1. Riders on the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth run will also soon make the crossing aboard a larger vessel.

As summer turns into autumn, fewer tourists and weekend passengers ride the ferry. Accordingly, WSF routinely adjusts the sailing schedule and removes the peak-season surcharge to accommodate expected ridership.

This year, WSF also adjusted the three-vessel Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth schedule to improve on-time performance and allow more loading and unloading time for a larger, 124-car Issaquah Class vessel. The larger ferry will replace one of the Evergreen State Class vessels on the route in mid-November.

Highlights of the 2014 fall sailing schedule:

-Anacortes/San Juan Islands: four vessels in service, similar to spring, with an additional 11:40 a.m. stop in Shaw.

-Anacortes/Sidney, British Columbia: one daily roundtrip sailing via Friday Harbor, down from two.

-Fauntleroy/Vashon Island/Southworth: fewer sailings on weekends and minor sailing-time adjustments.

-Mukilteo/Clinton: fewer late-night and early-morning sailings Thursday through Sunday.

-Port Townsend/Coupeville: two-boat service continues until Monday, Oct. 13; one-boat service resumes Tuesday, Oct. 14.

-Seattle/Bremerton: the 144-car Kaleetan adds more capacity by replacing the 90-car Sealth.

For more information or to make a reservation, please visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries or call 1-888-808-7977.