SEATTLE — Washington State Ferries has extended all winter sailing schedules through at least June 20, the agency announced last week.
The spring season earlier had been extended to April 25 and now has been extended again as part of the state’s response to COVID-19, the agency said in a press release.
The winter schedule on the Port Townsend-Coupeville route has 10 trips across Admiralty Inlet. To view times, visit www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries/.
The extension of the winter sailing schedules prepares the agency for effects of COVID-19 that could disrupt service, the release said.
These include a significant decrease in ridership due to public health recommendations and availability of sufficient crew personnel to meet federal requirements.
Recent system-wide ridership has been down about 75 percent, compared to the last week of February, the agency said. Walk-on passengers have decreased more than 90 percent, while the number of vehicles carried has dropped nearly 65 percent.
Customers can sign up for email rider alerts, check WSF COVID-19 travel updates and follow WSF on social media for notification of resumption of regular service and other rider information.
Emergency medical services have been notified of the schedule changes and will continue to have priority boarding as the situation allows.
