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County ends short-term marine passenger pilot; staff report usage and recommend further study before continuation
Summary
San Juan County concluded three pilot marine passenger services June 30. Staff reported roughly 2,400 passenger trips and 465 bicycles carried on the daily Anacortes runs and limited use of emergency inter‑island services; contractors and councilors recommended any future service would require faster vessels, dedicated dock space and subsidy,
San Juan County concluded three short-term marine passenger pilot services June 30 and briefed the council on usage and lessons learned July 15.
What ran and numbers: The county contracted private operators for (1) a twice-daily Anacortes–San Juan Island passenger shuttle that operated for 74 days and completed 148 round trips carrying about 2,400 passengers (including roughly 465 bicycles and 114 dogs); (2) an emergency inter‑island passenger service that operated on nine days with 12 round trips and 127 passengers; and (3) a barge contingency service that was not used. Contractors reported on-time performance for scheduled runs.
User profile and feedback: Staff reported the boat served riders traveling for leisure and for essential trips including medical appointments and work. Riders praised convenience and bike access for some island-to-island trips; councilors and contractors noted the Anacortes route also became useful for inter‑island jaunts (for example Orcas–Friday Harbor) because timing sometimes shortened door-to-door travel.
Operational lessons: Contractors and staff flagged several constraints: the Anacortes run’s roughly two‑hour transit time means faster vessels (higher cruising speeds) or additional boats would be needed to match ferry travel times; dedicated dock space and better communications and rider information are critical; and private operators said the service required subsidy and likely would not be financially sustainable without public funding.
Council action and next steps: The pilot was informational; the county closed the grant funding with the Department of Commerce and will circulate a rider survey and perform further analysis. Staff said the pilot’s data will inform the county’s broader transportation planning work, including climate‑element roundtables and marine‑facility planning.
Staff note: Public Works and Parks/Fair staff thanked operators for timely service and said a final accounting shows the county absorbed minimal administrative costs and directed the grant funds predominantly to contractor payments.
