PORT TOWNSEND — Washington State Ferries chief David Moseley said he didn’t want to make any promises, but that a new reservation system could be coming to the Port Townsend-Keystone route by next summer.
“You could see it by the summer of 2010,” Moseley said to a group of 15 people Wednesday night at a question-and-answer session on the ferry system.
“But I don’t want anyone to hold me to that, as it’s still in the planning phases.”
State ferries system officials are soliciting input from communities serviced by ferries as they prepare to present the state Legislature with a plan for a systemwide reservation system.
The plan will be finalized on Dec. 15 and presented to the state lawmakers for review during the 2010 session.
Moseley said he sees three ways that could turn out.
“They could have questions and ask us to revise; they could say we like it and start testing,;or they could say no thanks. I think they are all possibilities. However, if they want to start testing, my recommendation will be to test in communities already serviced by a reservation system.”
‘Prepay’ account
The proposed long-term reservation system would involve an annual program that establishes a “prepay” account for a user, which is meant to address people making reservations but not showing up.
A prepayment deposit would allow it to be applied toward a no-show fee, the amount of which has not been determined.
Port Townsend residents at the meeting gave Moseley a few suggestions for a new system, including requests for better service both online and by phone.
“The phone system is too frustrating and we have quit using it,” said Marcy Jaffee, a local transportation planner.
“You try to call in to cancel a reservation and it takes too long to get someone on the phone, so we hang up. Then you have unfilled reservations and the boat leaves not full.”
Also, the group requested a weather update system on the state ferries system Web site at www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries.
The information would inform riders when there was a possibility that the ferry might be taken offline.
Moseley said he felt it was all good input, and even hinted at the possibility of making some improvements before the new system is put into effect.
“We will take this back and see what modest improvements can be made now,” he said. “We will see if we can’t fix some of these problems both now and in the long run.”
Last spring, the state Legislature directed the state ferries system to conduct a pre-design study of the vehicle reservation system.
This study is intended to identify the technology and capabilities needed for a vehicle reservations system that could be applied to all state routes, if found appropriate.
In the state ferries system’s 2030 long-range plan, a vehicle reservations system is identified as a primary demand-management strategy.
Vehicle reservations could save Washington state $290 million in capital improvements by avoiding the need to expand ferry terminals and holding areas to accommodate current and projected increases in vehicle traffic, it said.
________
Reporter Erik Hidle can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at erik.hidle@peninsuladailynews.com.